Media

Today, Congressman Mike Turner announced that The Dayton Art Institute will be participating in the Blue Star Museums program this summer. The program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America. From Memorial Day, May 28, through Labor Day, September 3, 2012, the participating museums offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families.

Today, Congressman Mike Turner wrote to General Edward A. Rice Jr., Commander of Air Education and Training Command, to request an immediate briefing regarding widespread sexual assault allegations at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. This is particularly alarming because it was perpetrated by military training instructors (MTIs) on recruits.

Today, Congressman Mike Turner (OH-3) released the following statement upon the change of command at the Department of Defense's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). Major General Mary Hertog will transition out of the role of director. Hertog was the first flag officer to hold the post, following language authored by Turner in the FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires a flag officer to lead the Department's office charged with combating sexual assault within its ranks. Major General Gary Patton will oversee the office headquartered at the Pentagon.

Today, Senator Rob Portman and Congressman Mike Turner announced their support of a decision by the U.S. Marine Corps to maintain their Hull Machining Line at the Joint Services Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio. Following the Obama Administration's cancellation of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Program, the Marine Corps' Program Manager began reviewing the future use of all EFV-associated equipment procured as part of that program.

Today, Senator Rob Portman and Congressman Mike Turner announced their support of a decision by the U.S. Marine Corps to maintain their Hull Machining Line at the Joint Services Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio. Following the Obama Administration's cancellation of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) Program, the Marine Corps' Program Manager began reviewing the future use of all EFV-associated equipment procured as part of that program.

Today, Congressman Mike Turner released the following statement upon the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approving a report holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his failure to produce documents specified in the Committee's October 12, 2011 subpoena. Turner is a senior member of the committee which has broad oversight and investigational responsibility.

Today, Congressman Mike Turner responded to the release of the RAND Corporation's analysis of the reorganization of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and the Air Force decision to proceed with the process. In late January 2012, the Secretary of the Air Force asked RAND to conduct the required independent review of AFMC's proposed reorganization. In an effort to streamline the AFMC, the Air Force decided to restructure the major Command headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from 12 Centers to 5. The 5-Center construct was announced in November 2011 as a major part of AFMC's response to a Department of Defense challenge to find efficiencies and save taxpayer dollars.