U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly continued his outspoken advocacy on behalf of Crane’s Army and Navy workforce, including his call to grow the Air Force presence at Crane, this week in a series of meetings with local leaders and senior military officials.
Donnelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Crane is one of our nation’s most important military laboratories and munitions depots, providing critical support to our Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Crane’s workforce does incredible work. My job is to be sure everyone knows it, so we can ensure that our military leaders are taking full advantage of these hardworking Hoosiers, grow their mission, and add more jobs in southwest Indiana.”
L-R: Donnelly with Crane Army Ammunition Commander Col. Garlington; Donnelly at the Crane Congressional Breakfast; Donnelly meeting with Lt. Gen. Weinstein.
On Tuesday, Donnelly met with Col. Michael Garlington, Commander of Crane Army Ammunition, and other leaders from Crane’s Army side to get an update from them on recent activities. They also discussed Donnelly’s work in the national defense bill, which recently passed the Senate, which would fully fund a new $24 million shipping and receiving facility at Crane Army Ammunition Activity.
On Wednesday morning, Donnelly co-hosted and spoke at the annual Crane Congressional Breakfast. At Donnelly’s invitation, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson gave the keynote address to the group. Donnelly hosted Richardson at Crane last August, allowing the CNO to see firsthand the numerous research laboratories, testing facilities, and cutting-edge technology development centers at the installation.
Thursday , Donnelly met with Air Force Lt. Gen. Jack Weinstein, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, to discuss growing the Air Force presence at Crane and expanding the lab’s work in support of Air Force nuclear programs.
In recent years, Crane’s mission and workforce have grown significantly, to the tune of more than 400 new jobs since Donnelly began serving in the Senate in 2013. Earlier this year,Donnelly successfully advocated to save 90 jobs at Crane Army Ammunition that were threatened by a federal hiring freeze.