MORRIS COUNTY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) sent a letter to Secretary of the Army Mark Esper urging support for programs and facilities at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway and Jefferson Township, the Joint Center of Excellence for Armaments and Munitions.
The critical work performed by more than 6,000 people at Picatinny directly enhances the U.S. military’s capabilities and our soldiers’ safety. It is also the largest employer in Representative Sherrill’s District. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Sherrill will continue to ensure the Army has the budget it needs for Picatinny to provide needed capabilities for our national security.
Text of letter below:
The Honorable Mark T. Esper
March 7, 2019
Secretary of the Army
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400
Dear Secretary Esper,
It was great to meet you last month to discuss the Army’s priorities for Fiscal Year 2020. I am aware of the Army’s proposal to shift more than $31 billion towards six modernization priorities, including the Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) mission at Picatinny Arsenal. I urge you to support the programs and related facilities and equipment required by the Armaments Center of the Combat Capabilities Development Command to accomplish the LRPF mission.
First, elevating the LRPF mission as you have planned should be complemented by an investment in the specific facilities that support this Army modernization priority. I am proud of the ongoing work at Picatinny Arsenal on the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA), a major component of the Army’s effort to increase lethality within the LRPF mission. I urge you to take every opportunity to augment and enhance the facilities that support this program.
Second, I recently met with Brigadier General Abramson who briefed me on how the Army garrison works to support the numerous tenants at Picatinny Arsenal and how they would benefit from a new Access Control Point at the main gate. Army research facilities, such as Picatinny Arsenal rely on cooperative research and development occurring both on and off the installation. I respectfully request that you give all due consideration to the $24 million needed for this military construction project to provide greater security for the highly-skilled workforce and military families.
Finally, as you are aware, the Fiscal Year 2019 Defense Appropriations Act provided $41 million to build a Munitions Disassembly Complex at Picatinny Arsenal. I strongly oppose any reprogramming request to shift these funds away from their authorized and intended purpose.
I look forward to working with you on the Army’s modernization priorities.
