A memo last week from Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan appears to preserve $310 million in California military construction funds from diversion to border wall construction, Military.com reported Tuesday.
California base officials believe construction projects at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin are safe from a list due out May 10 outlining $3.6 billion in funding that could be used for border wall construction, according Shanahan’s guidelines.
Shanahan’s memo exempted projects awarded in fiscal 2019, which also includes a $118 million reconstruction of the docking facilities at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.
Most new construction planned for the three California bases appear to meet Shanahan’s directive to not include projects that have “fiscal year 2019 award dates,” as ADC reported last week.
But many in Congress remain wary over whether any military projects are safe, including in California.
Rep. Harley Rouda (D-Calif.) toured the Seal Beach base Thursday and later released a statement expressing concern.
Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Aaron Bewkes
Snap of the Week
Naval Academy plebes climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen’s freshman year. The class of 2027 completed the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey
