Bill aids NH Air Guard, Poutsmouth Naval Shipyard

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that New Hampshire's senators say would provide millions of dollars in funding for improvements to the Pease Air National Guard Base and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Sens. Judd Gregg and Jeanne Shaheen say $10 million would be used to replace squadron operations facilities at the Air Guard base, helping to consolidate command communications and improve coordination and overall operational efficiency.

The funding is included in the military construction and Veterans Affairs appropriations bill.

Also included is more than $9 million for security improvements to gates at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

The bill, which was approved Tuesday, now goes to a joint conference committee before returning to both chambers for final passage.