News
March 13, 2019Capital Region Military Day at the Capitol Recognizes Impact of Local Military Installations, Service Men & Women
Today at the Capitol, the Senate and Assembly recognized the important missions that the Capital Region military carry out in support of our national security, as well as the positive impact the military has on our communities, economy and quality of life.
Joining several members of the Capital Region military at the Capitol was the Unified Military Affairs Council (UMAC). UMAC, a program of the Capital Region Chamber seeks to highlight the importance of the military presence in the Capital Region and ensure its long-term viability and success. UMAC also strives to increase public knowledge of the contributions made by military units in the Capital Region, all of which impact the global, national, state and regional economy.
The military installations supported by UMAC that were recognized on Military Day include: Stratton Air National Guard Base; The U. S. Army Watervliet Arsenal; Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa; and The Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, as well as other military units located within the Capital Region.
“These military units do more than protect our state and nation and way of life, they are an important and positive part of our community contributing more than $1 billion a year to the Capital Region’s economy and supporting thousands of jobs in the 49th Senate District and across the Capital Region,” said Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville), Senate Co-Sponsor of UMAC Day. “Today, we’re shining the spotlight on the everyday American heroes who work at our bases – the best, the brightest, the most compassionate fighting force for good on Earth, the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.”
“Dedicated military personnel and local military installations bring security and vitality to our individual communities, the Capital Region and our nation as a whole. I am proud to host the Unified Military Affairs Council of the Capital Region Day in Albany and I commend the Capital Region Chamber in recognizing the abounding impact of our military” said Senator Neil Breslin (D – Bethlehem), Senate Co-Sponsor of UMAC Day.
“Having served in the US Army Reserve, it’s a tremendous honor to host Capital Region Military Day,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who serves on the State Assembly’s Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. “The dedicated members of our nation’s armed forces who call the Capital Region their home are pillars of our communities and Capital Region Military Day highlights the importance of the local military installations, where they serve,” Assemblyman Santabarbara added. “These local military installations are important to not only protecting us, but also supporting our local economies, our culture and our way of life.”
“While the profound debt of gratitude that we owe the courageous men and women of our armed forces who defend our freedom can never be repaid, ‘UMAC Day’ is an excellent opportunity to recognize military members for their honorable service and selfless sacrifice. It’s also the prefect opportunity to realize and appreciate the vital national security and economic role of military installations across our Capital Region, including Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, which resides in the 43rd Senate District that I’m honored to serve and represent. I also want to express my thanks to the Capital Region Chamber for their continued support of our armed forces and UMAC Day. Today, and every day, we appreciate everything that our fighting men and women do to protect our nation, its citizens, and our very way of life,” Senator Daphne Jordan (R,C,I,Ref-Halfmoon) said
Senator George Amedore said, “The Capital Region is fortunate to be home to several military installations. These facilities contribute to our local economy, ensure the safety and security of our residents, and are strong community partners. It’s an honor to help recognize them for their contributions to our region, as well as the state and nation as a whole.”
Mark Eagan, President and CEO, Capital Region Chamber, said, “The Capital Region is the proud home to several military installations and units. Through the Unified Military Affairs Council, the Capital Region Chamber supports our military and highlights their importance to our economy, communities and quality of life. I would like to thank Senator Tedisco, Senator Breslin, Assemblyman Santabarbara and the entire Capital Region Legislative Delegation for hosting UMAC and our region’s military at the Capitol today.”
“We are so fortunate to have the Capital Region Chamber’s Unified Military Affairs Council (UMAC) as part of our community,” said Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston). “The Stratton Air National Guard Base, Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal and Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs are essential not only to this region, but the state and the nation as well. I have really enjoyed learning more about each of these military installations and units throughout my time in the Assembly, and it is a pleasure to welcome them to the Capitol to recognize the significant impact they have on our economy and communities.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III said, “The Capital Region has been fortunate to have such strong and viable military entities in the area that are major employers and contributors to our communities. They are a valuable part of our economy, yet also play a critical role in protecting our freedoms in this country that we so sincerely value.”
Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “The Capital Region’s military installations and training facilities are a vital tool for training our nation’s armed forces; and they play a vital role in our region’s economy and community life. I welcome the Unified Military Affairs Council and service members to the Capitol, and commend them for their mission to increase public and legislative awareness of the contributions of these installations.”
Background information on Capital Region Military Installations:
Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa
The mission of NPTU Ballston Spa is to qualify Naval officers and enlisted personnel in the operation, maintenance and supervision of naval nuclear propulsion plants in support of Fleet operations. The training and certification takes approximately six months of practical instruction under the close supervision of qualified staff. Currently NPTU Ballston Spa trains and certifies approximately half of the personnel (officer and enlisted) needed to operate the U.S. Navy’s reactor plants on nuclear-powered warships (i.e., all commissioned submarines and aircraft carriers). The other half are trained at a similar facility in Charleston, South Carolina.
Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs
Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs is a fully operational, active operation under a Commanding Officer and under the command regional area coordination of the Commander Navy Region Mid Atlantic. Located in Milton, its primary mission is to provide operation support to the Naval Propulsion Training Unit (NPTU) Ballston Spa, (one of only two in the U.S.) and to perform host command functions. Secondary missions include providing Personal Property, Housing, Fleet and Family Support, Administrative, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation services to active duty naval personnel and their dependents in the New York State Capital Area, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
Watervliet Arsenal
The U. S. Army Watervliet Arsenal, widely known as “America’s Cannon Factory”, is an Army-owned and operated manufacturing facility. It is the nation’s oldest, continuously-operated arsenal having begun its manufacturing of military hardware during the War of 1812. This Army-owned and -operated manufacturing center celebrated its 200th anniversary on July 14, 2013, and is a component of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. For 200 years, the Arsenal has produced critical weapons, parts, and material that have helped hundreds of thousands of our nation’s warfighters to come home safely. Today, more than 560 employees provide manufacturing, engineering, procurement, and quality assurance for cannon, mortars, and associated materiel throughout the acquisition life cycle. The Watervliet Arsenal is the only place in the Department of Defense where those who do weapons research and design reside with the manufacturing base. The Army’s Benet Laboratories resides on the Arsenal and is known worldwide for its gun design, structural and dynamic analysis, and for its application of advanced materials and composites. This unique synergy, where engineers who design a product are just a five-minute walk from those who will machine their designs, allows the Arsenal to rapidly adjust to new or urgent requirements. Today’s Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems.
Stratton Air National Guard Base/109th Airlift Wing
Stratton Air National Guard Base is home to the 109th Airlift Wing, part of the New York Air National Guard. The unit flies the world’s only ski-equipped LC-130s or “skibirds,” as well as traditional C-130 “wheelbirds.” The 109th has the responsibility of flying missions for the National Science Foundation-led United States Antarctic Program. During the spring and summer, the unit flies training missions out of Kangerlussuaq airport in Greenland and from there flies to the Arctic Ice Cap transporting materials and scientific researchers to remote locations where they conduct research. During the fall and winter, the Wing flies similar missions out of McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
More information on UMAC can be found at www.capitalregionchamber.com/military-affairs.
