FY2024 Community Funding Project Requests

Project Name: Advanced Helicopter Training System Hangar

Amount of Request: $141,500,000

Intended Recipient and Full Address: NAS WHITING FLD MILTON, FLORIDA (N60508), 7550 USS Essex St. Milton Fl 32570

Explanation of Request: In FY22-23 NDAA the committee purchased the Advanced Helicopter System or TH-73 helicopter. The aircraft were procured to replace the ageing TH-57 helicopter and provide superior aviation support for the Navy. unfortunately, the Department of the Navy did not proceed with construction of the Advanced Helicopter System Hanger to house the new aircraft, thus leaving the newly received helicopters exposed to the harsh hurricane conditions and high humidity within Northwest Florida. without this hanger the next storm will rip through this new fleet of helicopters causing a catastrophic waste of taxpayer resources. Hangar 1406, which will be repurposed after this project is complete, is a three training squadron aircraft maintenance hangar constructed in 1943. The three HT squadrons with 113 TH-57 helicopters have more than twice the number of aircraft and personnel as was designed for Hangar 1406. The maintenance high-bay requires upgrades to the crane capacity, lacks built-in maintenance equipment, seismic features, fire suppression and capacity due to the new aircraft model now using this hangar. Additionally, the old hangar has a wind rating of only 74 mph, which is insufficient in an area where there is a threat of inclement weather from summer thunderstorms to hurricanes. Current shortfalls include insufficient aviation life support system facilities and pyrotechnic storage, insufficient facilities for female instructors and students, lack of academic facilities, and fragmented squadron spaces. All the shortfalls will be addressed by the construction of the Advanced Helicopter Training System Hanger. Click here for a signed letter certifying that Congressman Gaetz has no financial interest in the project.

Transparency

Congressman Matt Gaetz has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested.