WASHINGTON, D.C.—A $55 million Army Military Construction Project for a new Joint Operations Center (JOC) at Fort Polk’s Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) is included in the Biden Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget request, which was released on May 28 by the Office of Management and Budget. The Joint Operations Center serves as the hub for all communications and movements during JRTC rotations. The current facility was put in place in 1993 as a temporary operations center.
The FY22 President’s Budget requests $715 billion for the Department of Defense in discretionary spending accounts, which is a 1.6 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. The budget requests a total of $172.7 billion for the Army. Key rotations and exercises at JRTC, including Green Flag East, a simulated combat operation held between Barksdale Air Force Base and Fort Polk, to employ close air support and communications between air and ground forces, are robustly funded.
“I am encouraged by these funding commitments represented in President Biden’s defense budget, and I am confident our congressional delegation will work hard to secure approval of these budget allocations,” said Governor John Bel Edwards. “Louisiana plays a key role in the security of our nation and it's critical that we continue to invest in our military installations and support our service members.”
“We are grateful the Biden Administration has recognized Fort Polk’s critical role in ensuring our national defense by requesting a new Joint Operations Center for the installation in the president’s budget,” said United States Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04). “The current JOC is years overdue for an upgrade, and new facilities will provide our service members the most realistic training experience possible. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues to help turn this proposal into law this year.”
“Louisiana’s military installations are critical to the defense of our nation and also drive Louisiana’s economy in important ways, bringing more than $8 billion in annual economic impact,” said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson. “Our congressional delegation has worked effectively to address the current and future needs of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine installations in Louisiana. Governor Edwards has directed state resources that are essential to supporting our military assets. These DOD budget allocations represent fundamental new investments in Louisiana that will significantly build our nation’s strength.”
“I believe that the funding being requested in this DOD budget properly prioritizes the important missions at Fort Polk and Barksdale Airforce Base,” said Senator Michael Reese, (R-Leesville). “These significant investments into the Joint Operations Command Center recognize the enduring role that the JRTC will play in the training of our combined Armed Forces into the future.”
“The Fort Polk Progress Board and I are so excited to see the JOC in the Department of Defense budget,” said Fort Polk Progress Chairman Rick Allen. “We are thankful that President Biden recognized the need to modernize the JOC at Fort Polk. Congressman Mike Johnson, Senator Kennedy and Senator Cassidy were key players in getting this in the budget. Governor John Bell Edwards has also proved time and time again that he understands and supports Fort Polk and its mission. Senator Mike Reese’s leadership has also been key in keeping Fort Polk on the radar with the state. Secretary Don Pierson and his team are second to none when it comes to the critical support we need for Fort Polk. As mayor of the City of Leesville, I can tell you that the community and I understand that the commitments made in the land acquisition and many other sacrifices are paying off in a big way.”
Fort Polk Progress is a regional organization focused on coordinating the efforts of the local communities, the State of Louisiana and the Louisiana Congressional delegation on supporting the Army, the mission at Fort Polk, and the quality of life for soldiers and families stationed in Louisiana.
