R-2004-11 support Ellington Field as joint reserve venture

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Memorandum April 7, 2004 Page 3 e e . U.S. Coast Guard: While the Coast Guard Air Station Houston is located at Ellington Field, there are other Coast Guard units that could be assigned to the same location. For example, the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic System Houston- Galveston, currently located at an outmoded facility on the Houston Ship Channel, could be part of the DHS Operations Center since it monitors vessel movements in the Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay and the offshore approaches. The Coast Guard Maritime Security and Safety Team for the area, currently located in Galveston, could be located at Ellington Field for rapid deployment. . Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): These units could be relocated to Ellington Field in an effort to coordinate all Homeland Security missions. The ICE aircraft at Hooks Airport in north Harris County should be assigned to Ellington Field to reduce commercialle~ed spaces and to coordinate DHS aviation units more effectively. . Other Homeland Security: Besides those listed above, there are other DHS elements in the Houston area, including the U.S. Secret Service and Agriculture inspectors. Again, the consolidation at Ellington Field would enhance cooperation in Homeland Security. NEW FACILITIES THAT COULD BE ESTABLISHED Army Air Force Exchange System (AAFES): The current Base Exchange (store) at Ellington Field is inadequate (631 square feet) for the number of active/reserve/guard and retired personnel living in the Greater Harris County area. Based on Veteran's Administration information regarding the distribution of veterans in Texas by county, and the total number of military retirees in Texas, there are approximately 33,000 retirees located in the area. This number, combined with the estimated 7,000 currently serving in the area and their dependents, would provide a substantial foundation for a large Base Exchange and Commissary. A visit by members of the Ellington Field Task Force to NAS JRB Fort Worth revealed that the AAFES facilities provide substantial funding (1 percent of sales) for the morale, welfare and recreation needs of the JRB persoIUlel. The Ellington Field Task Force has made contact with AAFES, as has Congressman Gene Green, to examine the possibility of a larger facility. Military and Veterans Service: Ellington Field would be the location where most of the active, reserve and national guard personnel would serve. Because an expanded AAFES facility would draw many retirees to Ellington Field on a regular basis, this would be an ideal location for a new facility to house the Texas Veterans Land Board, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Service Organizations (Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, others), United Service Organization (USO), Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR), American Red Cross and similar support organizations. This facility could be part of the AAFES complex or a separate and possibly state-funded building.