SHAHEEN, AYOTTE SEEK ASSESSMENT OF AIR FORCE LAND USE NEEDS AT NEW BOSTON STATION

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), members of the Armed Services Committee, are asking the Air Force to assess its use of land at New Boston Station, which supports the 23d Space Operations Squadron’s mission. In a letter to the Air Force secretary, the senators ask the Air Force to determine and report back on whether the 23d Space Operations Squadron’s critical mission requires that the Air Force retain all 2,826 acres at New Boston Air Force Station. 

LETTER TO AIR FORCE SECRETARY

The Honorable Michael Donley

Secretary of the Air Force

1400 Defense Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301-1400

Dear Secretary Donley:

As you know, New Hampshire’s New Boston Air Force Station is home to the 23d Space Operations Squadron and serves as one of the Air Force’s eight Satellite Control Network Remote Tracking Stations.  These tracking stations provide the Department of Defense with a critical satellite command and control capability.  As members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, we strongly support the 23d Space Operations Squadron mission and the presence of New Boston Air Force Station in New Hampshire. 

It has recently come to our attention that the Air Force may only need a fraction of the land at New Boston Air Force Station to support the 23d Space Operations Squadron mission.  We appreciate and fully support the need to maintain a sufficient buffer zone to protect the installation and its mission.  We also understand the need to avoid potential line of site obstructions for the antennas.  However, it is not clear that the Air Force needs to retain all 2,826 acres of land at New Boston to accomplish these objectives.  We ask that the Air Force analyze and notify us whether any of the land at New Boston Air Force Station is not required for the 23d Space Operations Squadron’s mission.  

Thank you for your continued service.  We look forward to your response.  

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen

United States Senator

Kelly Ayotte

United States Senator