Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) expressed her strong support for the upcoming arrival of the Triton Unmanned Aircraft System at Point Mugu. The Triton program will have an initial 4 officers and 43 enlisted sailors based at Naval Base Ventura County in 2015, a presence that is expected to grow to 700 servicemembers by 2020. According to the Navy’s draft environmental assessment released in February 2013, the county is expected to grow by nearly 2,400 new residents when including family members and support personnel as a result.
“This new unmanned patrol squadron, which is just the beginning of Point Mugu’s role as the West Coast home for unmanned aircraft, is a testament to the critical importance of Naval Base Ventura County to our national security,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “The hundreds of jobs the Triton program is bringing with it will help boost our local economy and strengthen Naval Base Ventura County’s position as an essential component to our nation’s long-term strategic defense requirements. I look forward to welcoming the new personnel to our community.”
The squadron, which will have a recovery element detachment, will act as support for the Triton Unmanned Aerial Surveillance unit. Four Tritons are scheduled to be based at Point Mugu, with marine reconnaissance and a maintenance center for the aircraft to be based there. This squadron will be in place by June 15, 2015.
Issues: 113th Congress, Defense, Jobs, Economy, and Small Business