Military Cuts? Not in My Backyard, Say Casey, Platts & Shuster

By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

If you’ve ever driven south on I-81 through Carlisle, you’ve probably been startled when, seemingly out of nowhere, an enormous UH-1 Huey helicopter jumps out as you pass under the Army Heritage Drive bridge.

Being a native of Carlisle, this writer is still occasionally caught off guard by the sight – one of the more conspicuous attractions at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC).

The USAHEC is a facility that’s been around for about a decade after representatives of the area have long lobbied to bring and keep here. Along with the U.S. Army War College, also in Carlisle, it represents a fairly significant part of the local economy. In recent years however, the center has seemed perennially close to the proverbial chopping block for the U.S. military.

Cutting defense spending has tentative bipartisan support, but the case of the USAHEC reflects the precarious political balancing act of closing bases (and for that matter, any federal facility).

Senator Bob Casey along with Representatives Todd Platts and Bill Shuster have written a letter to Secretary of the Army John McHugh asking him to spare the USAHEC from any cuts in the FY13 budget review.

“As you well know, the American public has witnessed numerous U.S. military engagements over the past decade and throughout our history,” the members wrote. “Nevertheless, a gap remains in the public’s understanding of the military’s role in American society. USAHEC would provide the public with an in-depth understanding of the vital role that the U.S. Army has played in the defense of our nation.”

In their letter, the members noted that USAHEC has provided information to the U.S. Army Legal Services agency that alone saved the U.S. government $20 million. The center also provides in-depth research capabilities to Congress and the military and has hosted more than 92,000 people who have visited to learn more about our nation’s military history.

The center falls near the border of the 9th and 19th congressional districts. You can read the full letter here.

Senator Toomey did not sign on to the letter, but expressed reserved support for the center.

“Senator Toomey has visited the United States Army War College, the home of the Army Heritage and Education Center and met with Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin, commandant of the U.S Army War College,” said spokeswoman Nachama Soloveichik. “He has also directed his in-state and Washington staff to continue the dialogue with leaders at the center to explore possible solutions to this issue.”

Previously, Toomey announced his support for the National Drug Intelligence Center in the Johnstown area – despite the fact that one GOP budget proposal had called for the elimination of the NDIC. It’s a decision that was called a “test” for the Senator, to see how he would balance his zeal for spending cuts with his duty to represent the interests of his constituents.

Whatever the ultimate outcome of the USAHEC, it demonstrates a fairly consistent rule of government: many people support spending cuts, but few volunteer to forfeit local funding.

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