Sen. David Perdue meets with Georgia military community representatives in Atlanta
All Georgia communities represented at meeting with senator earlier this week to “sync” efforts
By Jennifer Parks
ATLANTA — Sen. David Perdue, R-Sea Island, sat down with representatives from Georgia military communities at Georgia Institute of Technology earlier in the week to engage in a dialogue about how partners can work together to make sure the state’s bases are competitive and strong enough to perform their duties.
Every military installation in Georgia, including Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany, was represented at the meeting on Monday, which was meant to synchronize efforts to act in the interest of defense.
At the same time, attention was given on how to make the case that improved military capabilities and implementation of personnel increases can and should be done in Georgia.
“In the long term, this group will continue to share best practices and work together to make sure Georgia’s bases are as competitive and as strong as they can be to help the military protect our country,” Perdue said.
The senator went on to say there is a “significant benefit” in bringing together the support groups for each base to talk about the ways entities can work together to make Georgia a stronger contributor to national defense.
“Georgia’s military installations are in a class of their own,” he said. “We are focused on addressing readiness needs so we can fulfill our long-term strategic missions. We also need to be working at the state level to strengthen our bases so that any military expansion to grow future capabilities and increase personnel can happen here in Georgia.”
Lack of regular budgets, budget caps and work force development are three challenges Perdue said he heard from every base community represented on Monday.
“At a recent Senate Armed Services hearing, Air Force Gen. (Lee) Levy told us that when he decides to hire a civilian for his command, it takes 148 days to on-board them. As a business guy, this is outrageous and really handcuffs our ability to grow and flex as we need.”
Levy is the the commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center at Air Force Materiel Command aboard Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
Perdue spoke of MCLB-Albany, adding that is clear from the meeting that the Peach State is home to some of the military’s most advanced capabilities, and that the Albany installation has taken on the call to make the U.S. Marine Corps a “21st century fighting force.”
“Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany is integral to the readiness of the U.S. Marine Corps, and critical to the economy of Albany and Southwest Georgia,” Barbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, and Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, said in a joint statement. “We appreciate Senator Perdue’s partnership in strengthening Georgia’s military communities.”
Perdue serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Marietta, is on the Veteran Affairs Committee.
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