Sheppard receives funding in defense spending bill Published May 21, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sheppard Air Force Base will receive new funding in a defense spending bill approved by the House Armed Services Committee, said Texas Congressman Mac Thornberry, R-Clarendon May 10. Construction on a new operations ramp for Sheppard will be possible with the $7 million allotted by the bill. The ramp Sheppard currently uses suffers from certain logistical difficulties; it is located away from the central military aircraft operating area, requiring crossing of the municipal runway. "We need this ramp project to enable transient aircraft to taxi and park in front of our new Air Operations Complex," said 82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux. "Not having this ramp is like building a brand-new Wal-Mart without a parking lot. We appreciate the support of Congressman Thornberry for this important project." The new ramp will increase safety and cut down on the mixing of commercial and military aircraft operations. "Sheppard Air Force Base is one of America's premier military training facilities. The house Armed Services Committee recognized the Sheppard ramp as one of only two military construction projects in Texas deemed important enough to merit specific additional funding above the president's request in the bill," Thornberry said. "In a year when military construction funds are tight I am particularly pleased that this project was supported by the committee," he said. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 was approved by the committee on a unanimous 58-0 vote. Aside from the $646 billion aimed at national defense operations and the war on terror, it will also provide a 3.5 percent pay raise to Armed Forces members, fund the TRICARE military retiree medical program and extend the prohibition on retail pharmacy cost share increases for military retirees.