Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) has spearheaded a bipartisan effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to build support for procurement of the Navy’s MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).

“I am very pleased that flight testing of Triton is moving forward, and believe that it is critical that Congress support continued program development and procurement in Fiscal Year 2015,” said Brownley. “Ultimately, Naval Base Ventura County will be the west coast home for the Triton UAS, a testament to the critical importance of Naval Base Ventura County to our national security. 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, and will continue to work with a bipartisan group of members to ensure continued Congressional support for this important Navy program.”

According to the Navy, Triton will fly approximately 2,000 hours over the next three years from NAS Patuxent River to support its operational deployment in 2017. Upon arrival in Ventura County, the Triton program will have an initial 4 officers and 43 enlisted sailors based at Naval Base Ventura County, a presence that is expected to grow to 700 servicemembers. 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. 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.

Copies of Brownley’s letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are linked below.

Letter to House Appropriations Committee

Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee

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