Georgia briefs

Georgia delegation supports state military bases

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., were joined today by U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter, R-Ga., Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., Hank Johnson, D-Ga., Austin Scott, R-Ga., and Tom Graves, R-Ga., in urging two key U.S. Air Force officials to consider locating new missions at Georgia military bases while also voicing their opposition to premature divestment of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, saying it could jeopardize our nation’s close-air support capabilities and the safety of American service members.

They invited the Air Force to assess Georgia bases for any future F-35 Joint Strike Fighter basing decisions.

“We must remain ahead of our adversaries as they strive to rapidly develop and proliferate their own versions of advanced stealth fighter aircraft and weapons systems,” the Georgia Congressional delegation wrote in a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh. “Maintaining air dominance through the mid-2020s and beyond is non-negotiable for our national security objectives.”

The delegation also praised the recent announcement by the Air Force that both Robins and Moody Air Force Bases were being considered as possible candidates for the new MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Wing, stating that “both installations and community partners are eager to help your teams as they assess each location.”

Further, as the Air Force assesses bases for the Battlefield Airman Consolidation initiative, the Georgia members pointed out that the significant presence of battlefield airmen in the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing at Moody Air Force Base makes it an ideal location for this consolidation effort.

“We remain lock-step in our opposition to retiring the A-10 aircraft until a replacement becomes fully operational,” the Georgia delegation continued. “If the schedule published in the fiscal year 2017 presidential budget force structure actions slide comes to fruition, Moody Air Force Base will start losing 24 A-10s and associated personnel in fiscal year 2021. A loss of that magnitude will undoubtedly result in negative impacts across the surrounding communities.”

This Congress, members of the Georgia congressional delegation, led by Isakson, have held a number of meetings with key officials from each of the Armed Services in Washington, D.C., and have visited both Robins Air Force Base and Moody Air Force Base to discuss the importance of Georgia-based military equities and assets that play a critical role in our national defense.

Free document shredding scheduled Saturday

ALBANY — Mayor Dorothy Hubbard, Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful and River Mill Data Management will sponsor a free document shredding today in the parking lot behind the Judicial Building along the 200 block of Flint Ave.

Documents will be shredded free of charge from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine.

Sherwood to present ‘Blast from the Past’

ALBANY — Sherwood Christian Academy will showcase music from the 1950s and ’60s in its musical “A Blast From the Past” with two shows Tuesday.

Shows will be held at 5:30 and 7 p.m. at the school’s 1418 Old Pretoria Road auditorium. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

For additional information, call (229) 883-5677.

Lee Commission plans budget workshop

LEESBURG — The Lee County Board of Commissioners’ Budget Committee will hold a budget workshop on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Opal Cannon Auditorium of the T. Page Tharp Governmental Building.

The purpose of the work session will be to discuss the county’s Fiscal Year 2016/2017 proposed budget. The public is invited to attend and observe the work sessions.

The T. Page Tharp Governmental Building is located at 102 Starksville Ave. North.

VSU plans fifth Camp Invention

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University will host its fifth weeklong Camp Invention from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 6-10, in the university’s West Hall.

Camp Invention is a weeklong summer day program for rising first- through sixth-graders, which was created in partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the Collegiate Inventors Competition.

This year’s Camp Invention program features four modules that incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through creative hands-on activities. Each day children will rotate through integrated modules that will provide them with the opportunity to employ creative thinking and team-building skills to generate excitement and encourage a passion for innovation.

General admission is $220. Multiple-child discounts are available. Lunch and snacks will not be provided. To register or learn more about Camp Invention, visit http://campinvention.org/2016-program/ or call (800) 968-4332.