Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, March 22, 2001

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 22, 2001 CONTACT: Henry Fawell 202/225-3061 Congressman Ehrlich Heralds APG Base ’s Missions Critical to New Army WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (MD-2) cited recent developments at the Aberdeen Proving Ground as proof the base has a promising future, contrary to comments in a Baltimore Sun article today, which mention the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Aberdeen, Maryland as a possible site of a future base realignment. Congressman Ehrlich pointed to critical services offered at APG, as well recent projects undertaken at Aberdeen Test Center (АТС), as proof that the base is vital to America’s national security and defense infrastructure. He also was very hard pressed to envision a scenario where Congress would vote for a future series of realignments and closures. President Bush has not proposed such a plan. “Our armed forces are transforming to lighter, faster, more deployable forces and Aberdeen Proving Ground is one of the few bases where new vehicles and troop equipment can be tested and improved,” Congressman Ehrlich continued. “The work done by APG scientists and engineers is absolutely essential to the force transformation process.” Additionally, АТС was selected in 1999 by the Department of Defense as the Army’s Pilot Test Program facility, allowing officials to develop new acquisition and procurement policies to make testing and evaluation less cumbersome and more cost effective. Currently, construction is under way on a $37 million roadway simulator project that, when complete, will be the only one of its kind in the world. АТС officials were also given permission to hire additional personnel, above the previously-set base guidelines. The threat of nuclear, chemical, and biological terrorism makes the work being done at the Edgewood area crucial to national and even international security. The capabilities of the Soldier and Biological Command is not only imperative in enhancing America’s soldiers survivability, it is playing a major role in protecting the world’s population against such dangers.