STATE of CONNECTICUT
OFFICE of MILITARY AFFAIRS
(OMA)
Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2019-2020

Robert T. Ross
Executive Director

 Table of Contents
I.

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1

II. Key Defense Issues for the Nation and State ..................................................................................................... 2
III. Connecticut Defense Industry Outlook .............................................................................................................. 7
IV. U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London and the Submarine Industrial Base .................................................. 13
V. The National Coast Guard Museum ................................................................................................................. 18
VI. Quality of Life and Military Service in Connecticut........................................................................................... 18
VII. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
Appendix A: Public Act No. 15-65
Appendix B: Biography of OMA Executive Director

 I.

Introduction

In 1794, after the Continental Congress decided to create a
United States Navy, an expedition sailed from New London to
retrieve live oak, the hardest wood available, to build America’s first
warships at different shipyards along the East Coast. These ships
were not modified merchant vessels. They were designed from the
keel up to be warships. One of them, the USS Constitution, remains
the oldest commissioned warship in the world.

For its legendary support in the Revolutionary War,
President George Washington called Connecticut the “Provisions
State.” From the beginning of America’s democracy, Connecticut
has played a key role in producing the diverse and highest quality
human and physical resources for our nation’s defense.
Units of the Connecticut National Guard are dispersed in
armories and other facilities across the state. Throughout its long
history, dating back to colonial militias, Guard units have responded
to state and national emergencies and performed combat
operations around the world. The Connecticut National Guard is
headquartered next to the State Capitol in Hartford, in the massive
State Armory and Arsenal building dedicated by President William
H. Taft in 1909.

The Navy base in Groton was originally a Naval Yard and
Storage Depot, established in 1868. It was built on land donated by
the people of Connecticut. The State Legislature provided $15,000
and the City of New London appropriated $75,000 for the purchase
of land on the east bank of the Thames River in the New London
harbor. In 1916 the base was designated the nation’s first Naval
Submarine Base and home of the Submarine School.
The first land-based campus of the Coast Guard Academy
was established at Fort Trumbull in 1910 and then moved to land
donated by the City of New London in 1915. The Coast Guard
Academy is the single officer accession source of all commissioned
officers for the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the men and women of
the Coast Guard serve at stations ashore and aboard cutters
deployed throughout the U.S. and in every ocean.
Since the first days of our democracy, Connecticut’s defense
manufacturing industry has continued without interruption. The
ships, submarines, aircraft, jet engines, helicopters, firearms and
advanced weapon systems built in Connecticut reflect our state’s
continuous innovation and highly skilled workforce. Connecticut’s
defense industry and military bases produce billions of dollars in
economic activity throughout the state, in large and small
businesses in virtually every municipality.

Airmen from the 103rd Airlift Wing load personal protective equipment into vehicles at a
distribution site in North Haven, Connecticut, June 30, 2020. The Connecticut National Guard
is providing ongoing support to the Connecticut Department of Public Health in distributing
masks, gloves, face shields, and gowns to residential care facilities, long term care facilities,
assisted living facilities, and local first responders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker)

1

 Overview of OMA

The office is minimally staffed with a full-time Executive
Director, designated as a department head in the executive branch,
reporting directly to the Office of the Governor. The Executive
Director is supported by DECD staff members and interns who
provide support for OMA in various functions including, but not
limited to, office administration, public communications, financial
management, legal counsel, information technology, economic
research and legislative affairs.

The Office of Military Affairs (OMA) was established by
Connecticut General Statute 32-58b in 2007. Accordingly, “the
Office of Military Affairs shall promote and coordinate state-wide
activities that enhance the quality of life of all branches of military
personnel and their families and to expand the military and
homeland security presence in this state.”
Mission of OMA
•

Coordinate efforts to prevent the closure or downsizing of
Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton (SUBASE).

•

Support Connecticut’s military families and enhance their
quality of life.

•

Advocate for Connecticut’s defense industry, a major
component of the state’s economy and an engine of
innovation and quality production for the U.S. Armed
Forces.

•

Encourage the retention of established military and defense
industry missions and the relocation of new ones to the
state.

•

The legislation setting forth duties and responsibilities of
the OMA Executive Director was revised by the Connecticut General
Assembly (Appendix A) and was signed into law by Governor Dannel
P. Malloy on June 19, 2015.
OMA is an active member of the national Association of
Defense Communities (ADC), a Washington-based organization that
represents states and communities nationwide that host military
installations. OMA Executive Director Bob Ross was elected to the
ADC Board of Directors and serves as Vice President. His many
contributions to the organization include participation in numerous
thought-leading programs in national and regional forums.
II.

Key Defense Issues for the Nation and State

The year 2019 was relatively stable on the national security
front, with most media attention focused on four areas: On againoff again discussions with North Korea on nuclear weapons, U.S.China negotiations on resolving an ongoing trade war, U.S. efforts to
draw down the American presence in Afghanistan, and intense
debate over the funding and construction of the U.S. southern
border wall.

Serve as liaison to the Connecticut congressional delegation
on defense and military issues.

Structure and Organization
As directed in statute, OMA is established within the
Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for
administrative purposes only. OMA and DECD are co-located at 450
Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, Connecticut.

For Connecticut, the state’s defense industrial base saw a
landmark year, with defense contracts to Connecticut companies or
companies doing business in the state at their highest level in recent
2

 decades. The main reason was the award in December 2019 to
General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) of the largest single
shipbuilding contract ever awarded by the Navy, a staggering $22.2
billion, for nine Virginia-class nuclear submarines.

Russia: Russia inherited advanced nuclear powered
submarine technology from the former Soviet Union. And in recent
years Russia has been investing significantly in new submarines,
rather than aircraft carriers, cruisers, and other surface warships as
China is doing. “Submarines appear to have a high priority in
Russia’s current efforts to rebuild its armed forces,” wrote
respected naval analyst Norman Polmar in the October 2019 issue
of Proceedings, the U.S. Naval Institute’s professional journal. The
Russian focus is mainly on nuclear powered ballistic missile
submarines and attack submarines – much like the United States –
and a new version of diesel-electric attack subs. In his article,
Polmar said it will be highly important for U.S. and other Western
navies to closely monitor Russia’s submarine buildup and to
determine its intentions. This warning is well put -- today we are
seeing more Russian submarine operations in the
Mediterranean and North Atlantic than any time since the Cold
War, according to senior Navy officials.

The year closed with approval by Congress of a defense
appropriations bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 containing tens of
billions of dollars for weapons programs based in Connecticut: EB’s
submarines, F-35 Lightening aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney
engines, and Sikorsky helicopter programs.
National Security/Foreign Policy Issues
Korea: President Donald Trump and North Korean leader
Kim Jung-un held a two-day summit in Vietnam in February 2019;
they had previously met in June 2018 for the first time. They met
for a third time in June 2019 in the Korean demilitarized
zone. Despite these meetings and subsequent negotiations
between the countries, North Korea has shown no signs of giving up
its nuclear weapons. In June 2020, North Korea halted negotiations
with the United States and cut communications with South Korea.

Afghanistan: The U.S. war in Afghanistan slogged on
through 2019, but in February 2020 the United States signed a
peace agreement with the Taliban aimed at finally ending the 19year-old conflict. In the six months after the deal U.S. forces in
Afghanistan were reduced from 13,000 to about 8,600. However,
Taliban attacks against the Afghan government have not ceased, in
violation of the agreement and endangering the peace process. U.S.
military leaders have said they would not recommend a full
withdrawal from Afghanistan unless the Taliban fulfills its peace
obligations.

China: The United States and China, the world’s two largest
economies, imposed billions of dollars of tariffs on each other’s
products throughout 2019. In January 2020 both countries signed a
‘Phase 1’ trade agreement. The United States agreed to hold off on
new tariffs; in turn, China promised to allow more U.S. agricultural,
energy, and other products. While both countries have been
involved in further negotiations, relations deteriorated in early 2020
with President Trump strongly criticizing China for its handling of
the COVID-19 global pandemic. And tense interactions at sea in the
western Pacific escalated as the U.S. and China continue to dispute
the international waters in the region of Taiwan.

U.S. Southern Border Wall: In May 2019 the U.S.
government changed its policy for asylum seekers from Mexico and
other Central American countries. Rather than being allowed to
cross into the United States and wait for a hearing, they were made
to wait in Mexico. As a result, crossings into the United States
3

 dropped significantly. The issue has been controversial, with critics
saying the new policy exposed asylum seekers to violence in
Mexican border cities. And the diversion of funds from the
Department of Defense (DOD) to the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) remains under review by U.S. courts as a
constitutional matter.
Connecticut Defense Funding, Issues
December 2019 was a very good month for the state of
Connecticut. In addition to the record-breaking Navy shipbuilding
contract referenced above, both the FY 20 defense authorization
and appropriations bills received final passage by Congress and
were signed into law that month. Due in large part to support from
the state’s congressional delegation, both bills resulted in significant
funding for CT-based defense programs.

$8.5B for two Virginia-class submarines in 2020.

•

$3B in advance procurement for additional submarines in
2021 and 2022.

$2.1B for 12 KC-46 tanker aircraft, also powered by Pratt &
Whitney engines.

•

$1.4B for 74 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, 16
more than the number funded in the previous year.

•

$847M for six Sikorsky Marine Corps heavy-lift CH-53K
helicopters; $517M for continued research and
development.

Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut, chairman of the House
Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection
Forces, was instrumental in obtaining funding for second Virginiaclass submarine. Such funding was not included in the DOD budget
request. “Restoration of full funding for a second Virginia-class
submarine topped the Navy’s list of unfunded priorities,” he said,
“which is consistent with the testimony of combatant commanders
about the growing need for submarine capabilities around the
world, as well as about the harm cutting a submarine would do to
the workforce and supply chain, which need stability. That is why
we found such strong bipartisan support to fully restore it.”

Following is a summary of the key items:
•

•

Electric Boat Awarded Largest Navy Shipbuilding Contract

•

$1.8B for advance procurement for the new Columbia-class
ballistic missile submarines.

•

An additional $427 million for continued research and
development of Columbia-class submarines.

•

$9.3B for 98 Pratt & Whitney-powered F-35 aircraft, 20
more than the DOD budget request.

As stated above, EB was awarded the Navy’s largest single
shipbuilding contact ever, $22.2B, on Dec. 2, 2019, for nine ‘Block
5’ Virginia-class submarines. Eight of them will have an 84-foot
extension of the hull – known as the Virginia Payload
Module (VPM) -- that will increase the cruise missile capacity.  The
contract has an option for a 10th submarine that would cost $1.9B,
bringing the total award to $24.1B.

•

$3B for continued development of the Air Force B-21 longrange bomber; Pratt & Whitney is a partner in the
program.

Thanks in large part to the record-breaking EB
contract, 2019 was the best year in recent decades for the
Connecticut defense industrial base with a total of $37.1B awarded
4

 to Connecticut companies or companies doing business in the
state. It was by far the best defense contracting year for
Connecticut since the CT Office of Military Affairs was established in
2007 and began tracking defense contracts that year.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said the contract “is
critical for our national security and just as important for the future
of highly skilled Connecticut jobs.” He added, “I am committed to
fighting on behalf of current and future Connecticut workers to
ensure that the Navy exercises the option to buy a tenth
Connecticut-made submarine.”

“Connecticut workers have earned a reputation of being the
best trained in the nation, and there is no doubt that the U.S. Navy
recognizes the strength of the workers at Electric Boat and its local
suppliers throughout our state,” said Connecticut Gov. Ned
Lamont in a statement on the EB contract award. “This is big news
for workers throughout southeastern Connecticut. For years to
come, the most advanced and most capable submarines in the
world will continue to be built in Connecticut.”

Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy issued a statement saying, in
part: “The hardworking men and women at Electric Boat continue
to prove their ability to build the best submarines in the world. This
new contract will fuel thousands of jobs in our state and provide
long-term stability to the thousands of small Connecticut companies
that support our defense manufacturing sector. This is a great win
for our state.”

EB is teamed on the contract with Huntington Ingalls
Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding.  Together, the companies
will be building three submarines a year – two Virginia-class and
one Columbia-class submarine.  The first Virginia-class boat under
the contract is now being built at EB. Deliveries are scheduled from
2025 through 2029.

Electric Boat Expansion
EB had a ground-breaking ceremony on Sept. 19, 2019,
for the largest construction program in 45 years at its Groton
shipyard – a 200,000 sq. ft. facility for construction of Columbiaclass submarines. The new building is part of an $850M project that
will include expansion and updating of other manufacturing space
and construction of a floating drydock to launch the ballistic missile
submarines.

The prior largest Navy shipbuilding contract was a $17.6B
award to EB in 2014 for 10 ‘Block 4’ Virginia-class submarines. Each
new VPM-equipped submarine represents about 25% more work
than the regular Virginia-class boats. According to analysis by Rep.
Courtney’s office, the Block 5 contract for nine boats -- eight with
VPMs – represents a workload equivalent to about
11 standard Virginia-class submarines.

Overall, EB plans to invest some $1.7B to modernize its
facilities over the next decade. In addition to the Groton expansion,
the company plans to spend $700M at its location at Quonset Point,
RI. Earlier in September, EB announced that it had completed
construction of a $28M facility at Quonset Point to support
construction of payload modules that will expand the length,
capability, and missile capacity of Virginia-class submarines.

In a statement after the award was announced, Courtney
said the increased workload is “good news that continues to
support an historic surge in workload and workforce at the Groton
shipyard and throughout the Connecticut and national supply chain
that supports it.”

Speaking at the ground-breaking, Sen. Blumenthal, a
member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee,
5

 said Columbia-class submarines will be the “stealthiest, strongest,
most versatile boat involved in nuclear deterrence” in a world that’s
grown more dangerous in recent decades,“ adding “In the building
that will come to this site men and women will work for the rest
of this century, or most of it, building the ships that will protect
America against those adversaries and deter them.”

In 2019 P&W was awarded two contracts in excess of
$2B each for F135 propulsion systems. The first, announced on May
31, 2019, was in the amount of $3.2B for production and delivery of
233 F135 engines for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Foreign
Military Sales (FMS) customers. On Sept. 30, 2019, P&W received a
contract in the amount of $2.2B for 183 F135 propulsion
systems and for long-lead components and materials associated
with 148 additional propulsion systems. F Y 18 and FY 19 funds in
the amount of $3.5B were obligated at the time of the award.

EB has more than 17,000 employees, about 12,000 of whom
are in Connecticut. It has hired some 14,000 employees in the past
eight years, including 1,400 in 2019. Of those, 900 are in
Connecticut and the remainder at Quonset Point. It is working with
a network of suppliers in Connecticut and across the nation to
prepare for the estimated 150% increase in the need for supplies
and materials to build both the Virginia-class and Columbia-class of
submarines at the same time.

On other matters, in November 2019 P&W donated
$100,000 to establish a scholarship program for mechanical
engineering students at the University of Hartford’s College of
Engineering, Technology and Architecture. The program aims to
foster diversity and inclusion in the field of engineering. The
recipients are able to network with P&W executives and potential
hiring managers and have the opportunity to apply for internships
and employment.

Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney’s (P&W) most prominent defense program
continues to be the F135 propulsion system for the F-35
Lightening fighter jet. By the end of 2018 the company had
produced more than 500 F135 engines and modules, doubling its
output over the previous two years. Its 2020 goal is to produce 200
propulsion systems.

Sikorsky
Sikorsky was awarded three contracts in 2019 totaling more
than $2B:

“With a worldwide fleet of more than 500 F135 engines,
Pratt & Whitney is driving towards world-class sustainment,” said
Matthew Bromberg, president of P&W Military Engines in testimony
before the House Armed Services Committee on Nov. 13, 2019. “As
the fleet grows, we are committed to reducing sustainment costs
by 50 percent. The most important factor is
reliability. Fortunately, the F135 has consistently exceeded 94
percent mission capability.”

6

•

May 17. $1.1B contract for 12 CH-53K King Stallion heavylift helicopters for the Marine Corps. The contract is part of
a program to produce 200 CH-53K helicopters. The
helicopter will be able to transport armored vehicles, other
equipment, and personnel deep inland from a sea-based
center of operations.

•

June 10. $542M for six VH-92A presidential
helicopters, part of a program to build 23 helicopters for the
Marine Corps to replace current presidential

 helicopters. Sikorsky will begin delivering the new
helicopters in 2021.
•

Dec. 10. $556.2M for production of Black Hawk
helicopters, used widely by the U.S. military and by the
armed forces of 28 other countries around the world. More
than 4,000 of the workhorse Black Hawk helicopters are in
service worldwide.

Interestingly, Sept. 14, 2019, marked the 80th anniversary of
the first helicopter developed by famed engineer Igor Sikorsky.
Sikorsky was born in 1889 in Kiev, what is now
Ukraine. Fascinated by the aviation-related inventions of Leonardo
da Vince, he built and flew model aircraft as a boy. Sikorsky studied
mechanical engineering in Kiev. He went on to develop fixed-wing
aircraft and emigrated to the United States after World War I in
1919, starting his own business in Connecticut.

WASHINGTON (March 18, 2017) Marine pilots assigned to Marine Helicopter Squadron 1
practice landing and take-offs with Marine One on the south lawn of the White House in
Washington, D.C. The Marine pilots practice maneuvering the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King
helicopter during their training to support the President of the United States. (U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Micha R. Pierce/Released)

His first practical helicopter was the VS-300, designed by
Sikorsky. The craft made its first flight on Sept. 14, 1939, at the
company’s plant in Stratford, CT, with Sikorsky himself at the
controls. After that successful first flight, Sikorsky designed and
built increasingly sophisticated helicopters, leading the way to the
modern age of rotary aircraft.

III.

Connecticut Defense Industry Outlook

As stated above, calendar year 2019 was an extraordinary
year for the state’s defense industrial base. This was due mainly to
the $22.2B contract awarded in December 2019, the largest Navy
single shipbuilding contract ever awarded. This brought the 2019
total amount of contracts to Connecticut companies or companies
doing business in the state to $37.1B.

Sikorsky’s vision produced versatile airframes used around
the world for civilian and military search and rescue, surveillance,
reconnaissance, logistics, law enforcement and combat operations.
Today, Sikorsky helicopters are widely used in commercial and
private transportation and have transported every U.S. President
since Dwight D. Eisenhower first used them in 1959.

Even this sky-high amount is conservative. It is based on
DOD’s daily announcements of contracts awards. However, the
DOD announcements apply only to prime contracts with a value of
$7M or more. Thus, the many thousands of DOD contracts under
$7M awarded annually are not included.

Sikorsky died in 1972 at age 83. Historians will remember
him as one of the world’s greatest pioneers in aviation.
7

 Connecticut’s OMA has been closely tracking defense
contracts since it was established in 2007. As stated above, the
previous highest amount of defense contracts to Connecticut’s
defense industrial base was 2014 when $27.1B in contracts was
recorded.
Interestingly, even without this huge Navy contract 2019
would have been a very good year of Connecticut’s defense
industrial base.
At the end of November 2019 – just prior to the award of
the Navy contract – Connecticut companies had received $14.9B in
defense contracts. The year-end total without the record-breaking
EB contract would have been $16.3B. There were four other 2019
defense contracts to Connecticut companies with a value of $1B or
more: EB got a contract in March for $2B for submarine work.
P&W received F-35 engine contracts in May and September for
$3.2B and $2.2B, respectively. Sikorsky was awarded a $1.1B
contract in May for CH-53 Marine Corps helicopters.

[Figure 1]
In 2015 and 2016 the yearly amounts dropped to more
modest levels of $7.0B and $8.8B, respectively. In 2017 it shot
upward again to $23.0B, due mainly to an end-of-the year $6.7B
contract to P&W for F-119 engine sustainment through 2025.

Trend in Prior Year Contracting

The 2018 amount was a hefty $13.9B, with three contracts
of more than $2B each. One went to P&W for F-35 engines; the
other two were awarded to United Technologies Aerospace Systems
by the Defense Logistics Agency for aviation-related spare parts to
the Air Force and other military services.

For context, over the past decade Connecticut annual
defense contracts have generally been in the $6-$14B range. In
recent years, with EB building two Virginia-class submarines per
year and P&W turning out significant numbers of F-35 engines,
several annual DOD contract amounts have soared far beyond that
range.

And as previously noted, the 2019 amount smashed prior
records with an astounding $37.1B total, propelled by the $22.2B
Navy submarine contract.

Figure 1 shows DOD prime contract awards of $7M or more
for calendar years 2010 through 2019. From 2010 through 2013 the
highest single-year defense contract amount was $10.4B, in 2012.
Then, as reported above, the 2014 amount was a towering $27.1B
due to the $17.6B Navy submarine contract.

With the significant contract spikes in 2014, 2017, and
2019, Figure 1 gives the impression of economic instability in the
8

 In short, the amounts from large DOD contracts are spread
out over many years, providing a cushion of stability for the state’s
defense industrial base. This is particularly true in years with
modest contract awards and revenues.

state’s defense industrial base. This is not the case, however, for
the following reason:
The Figure 1 graph is based on DOD announcements made
at 5 p.m. daily of contracts awarded that day, as tracked by the
state of Connecticut OMA. However, the total amount of the
contracts is considerably greater than the amount actually
obligated, i.e., paid to the contractor, at the time the contracts are
awarded. Rather, the contract amount is spread out over many
years. Examples:
•

•

•

•

Suppliers to Prime Contractors
With construction of Columbia-class ballistic missile
submarines starting in FY 2021 and the planned continued
construction of two Virginia-class submarines per year – the Navy is
considering building three in some years – the future is extremely
good for the state’s submarine industrial base. However, it will be a
major challenge for suppliers in Connecticut and around the country
to keep up with the demanding pace of construction.

Of the $22.9B record-breaking shipbuilding contract
awarded by the Navy to EB last Dec. 2, only $3.2B was
paid to the contractor at the time of award. The work is
expected to continue until August 2029, with payments
spread over the 10-year-period.
On May 31, 2019, DOD announced the award of a
contract that day to P&W in the amount of $3.2B for
233 F-35 jet engines. The funding obligated at the time
was only $793M. Work was expected to continue until
January 2022; payments are being made until then.
P&W was awarded a $6.7B contract for sustainment of
F-119 engines on Dec. 14, 2017. However, payments
were to be made via individual task orders issued by the
Air Force between then and Dec. 21, 2025. No funds
were obligated at the time of the award.
EB was awarded the then record-breaking shipbuilding
contract of $17.6B on April 28, 2014. The work – and
payments – are being stretched out over a 10-year
period to August of 2024. The contract announcement
made no mention of funds being obligated at the time
of award.

EB and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News
Shipbuilding – the only two U.S. companies that manufacture
submarines – award hundreds of millions of dollars in sub-contracts
to suppliers every year. While it is hard to quantify such spending,
the Submarine Industrial Base Council in Washington, DC, tracks
amounts spent or contracted to submarine suppliers for the major
submarine programs. More than 5,000 companies across the
United States make up the submarine industrial base.
In February 2020, the Council issued a state-by-state report
showing contracts awarded to submarine industrial base suppliers
over the last five years. The total amount nationwide was $20.8B.
For Connecticut, the amount was $864.2M, for such products as air
revitalization equipment, control valves, specialized command and
control electronics, oxygen generators, microswitches, high speed
bearings, and pipe fittings.
The $864.2M amount was slightly higher than Connecticut’s
total in the Council’s 2019 survey, $861.7M. It was substantially
higher than the Connecticut five-year supplier amount in the report
9

 However, Connecticut has the highest number of sub
suppliers far and away with 367, followed by Virginia (278) and
Massachusetts (250). Table 2 below shows that Connecticut has far
more smaller suppliers than any other state. Moreover, this does
not include hundreds of CT lower tier suppliers to EB.

issued by the Council in 2018, $605.4M. The significant increase
over the past two years shows that Connecticut suppliers are being
called on more and more for support of the Virginia- and Columbiaclass submarine programs.
The Council’s 2020 report notes that while its data is a good
representation of the beneficial economic impact that submarine
programs have on communities nationwide, “it is estimated that
thousands of lower tier suppliers exist across the U.S. that are not
represented.” This is certainly true for Connecticut; EB has
reported having some 900 suppliers across the state (see p. 17).

Top U.S. Submarine Supplier States
(By No. of Suppliers, 2020)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

While Connecticut is a major submarine supplier state, it
ranks 7 in supplier sub-contract amounts over the past five years.
California is far and away in 1st place, at $4.8B, followed by Virginia
at $2.5B and Pennsylvania, $2.2B. See Table 1 below, listing the top
10 submarine supplier states by dollar amount over the past five
years.
th

Top U.S. Submarine Supplier States
(By Dollar Amount, 2015-2020)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

California
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Indiana
Massachusetts
Connecticut
New York
Washington
Illinois

Connecticut
Virginia
Massachusetts
Pennsylvania
California
New York
Rhode Island
Florida
New Jersey
Ohio
Washington

367
278
250
191
175
136
114
100
85
81
81

[Table 2]

4.8B
2.5B
2.2B
1.6B
1.6B
1.0B
864.2M
683.8M
565.7M
532.4M

Overall, there is a vast network of more than 700 small to
medium-size supply chain companies in Connecticut that provide
products and services to three of DOD’s largest Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEM): Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, and Sikorsky.
Connecticut Defense Spending Ranking
The most recent comprehensive analysis of state-by-state
defense spending is Defense Spending by State, Fiscal Year 2018,
released in early 2020 by the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA)
in the Department of Defense. The report is based on research
done between June and December of 2019 and is drawn from

[Table 1]
10

 As shown in Figure 3 below, Connecticut moves up a notch
in the ranking of defense spending as a percentage of GDP, at 5.7%.
It is in 7th place, close behind Maryland and Alaska. Virginia is at the
top, with Hawaii a distant second. On average for all states, defense
spending comprised 2.7% of a state’s GDP, about half of the
spending in Connecticut.

numerous sources, mainly DOD’s Defense Manpower Data Center
and USAspending.gov, operated by the Department of the Treasury.
Connecticut did very well in the rankings, especially with its
small population (3.6 million) compared to other major defense
spending states. It is ranked 8th overall in total defense spending, 7th
in defense spending as a percentage of state gross domestic
product (GDP), and 6th in defense contract spending.
The state is ranked much lower in defense personnel
spending, which is dominated by states with many large military
bases. It came in 37th in this category.

[Figure 3]
In the category of defense contract spending -- excluding
DOD spending on personnel --Connecticut is 6th in the nation at
$15.2B, a remarkable achievement. It is behind only California,
Texas, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida, all with much larger
populations. See Figure 4 below.

[Figure 2]
Figure 2 above shows the rankings for total defense
spending, with Connecticut at $15.9B. Out front in this category
are states with large defense contractors and military bases:
California, Virginia, and Texas.

11

 [Figure 4]

[Figure 5]
Finally, the OEA report also lists the 10 leading defense
contractors in each state, based on defense contract spending in FY
2018. Interestingly, EB and P&W are both at the top for CT, each
with $5.6B, followed by Sikorsky at $2.8B Table 3 below shows the
entire list.
Top CT Defense Contractors, FY 2018

Another way of measuring the strength of Connecticut’s
defense industrial base relative to other states is by per capita
defense spending. According to the OEA report, FY 2018 per capita
defense spending in Connecticut – both for contracts and personnel
spending – was $4,439. The is far above the per capita defense
spending across the entire United States, $1,529. As shown in
Figure 5 below, Connecticut ranks an impressive 4th among all states
in per capita defense spending, behind Virginia with many large
military installations and thus high payroll spending ($6,603) and
the low population states of Hawaii ($5,050) and Alaska ($4,730).

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Electric Boat
Pratt & Whitney
Sikorsky
Kaman Corp.
Ensign-Bickford
Timken
Triumph Group
Colt Defense
PCX Aerostructures
Leonardo SpA
[Table 3]

12

$5.6B
$5.6B
$2.8B
$91.1M
$71.1M
$40.0M
$30.0M
$27.8M
$27.4M
$27.3M

 Summary

effect throughout the state would simply be the reverse of what we
experience today. Hundreds of small businesses deriving their
business and clientele from the base would go under. Without this
economic anchor, the regional economy would be severely
impacted, in every industry cluster.

As shown above, Connecticut continues to rank among the
top states nationwide for defense contracting despite its modest
population. All of the foregoing data points to a vibrant defense
economy providing the nation with critical weapons. In the last
three years in particular – due mainly to EB’s Virginia-class and
Columbia-class submarines and P&W’s F-35 jet engines – the state’s
defense contracts have been soaring. Suppliers have been busier
than ever, particularly for submarines.

Creating Military Value
It is clear that that DOD will continue to make adjustments
to force structure and military bases. However, another formal
BRAC round is not currently requested by DOD and the Congress
continues to resist this politically difficult process. Subject matter
experts widely believe DOD will eventually request another BRAC
round. However, future BRAC rounds may be much different from
previous rounds. Previous rounds focused on cost savings and
strategic basing. Future rounds will likely have new criteria added,
including the quality of host community public schools, state level
efforts to address military spouse unemployment and licensure
reciprocity, and relocations required due to the effects of climate
change and sea level rise.

Such high level of defense production will likely be the case
for many years to come, as Connecticut continues to produce and
maintain the world’s most sophisticated nuclear submarines, stateof-the-art military jet engines, and a variety of military rotary wing
aircraft used worldwide. The future for the state’s defense
industrial base is very bright indeed.
IV.

U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London and the Submarine
Industrial Base

Chief among the reasons to create OMA was the very real
probability that the SUBASE in Groton would be closed. Twice it
was targeted by the DOD for closure in the BRAC process. Twice,
Team Connecticut, a group of public and private sector individuals,
got organized and worked tirelessly to reverse the almost certain
closure of the base. Today, the primary task of OMA is to do
proactively what Team Connecticut had to do reactively in the BRAC
rounds of 1993 and 2005. We don’t want to wage this battle again.

OMA will continue to closely monitor developments in
BRAC requests and basing criteria. And OMA will continue to focus
on developing and executing strategic initiatives to enhance the
military value of the base in preparation for the next BRAC round
whenever it comes.
In 2007, the Connecticut General Assembly authorized $40
million for future investments in military value at the SUBASE to
protect it from closure. Since then, funding has been directed to
several carefully selected projects. This strategy is built on the
criteria used by prior BRAC commissions and aims to assess and
enhance the military value of the base, thereby decreasing the
likelihood it will be targeted for closure. By increasing military value

The predictable economic catastrophe associated with the
potential closure of the SUBASE is obvious to anyone familiar with
southeastern Connecticut. The loss of the positive effects we
realize from the base as it generates over $6Bin annual economic
impacts and over 30,000 jobs would be devastating. The ripple
13

 security. Collectively, these projects represent a wholly unique
partnership with the Navy in diverse and creative areas of base
improvements.

in operations, infrastructure and efficiency, we reduce the
likelihood of closure because DOD simply can’t afford to recreate
that strategic capacity anywhere else. It’s not about sunk cost. It’s
about current and future military value.
Today the SUBASE is undergoing a remarkable
transformation as old infrastructure is demolished and replaced
with modern capacity. People familiar with the SUBASE recognize
its ongoing dramatic transformation into a modern campus of new
buildings specifically designed for unique operations, specialized
training and high-tech support functions associated with producing
and maintaining our nation’s submarine force.
Working in a close partnership with Navy officials in
Connecticut and at the Pentagon, OMA has established a legal
framework through which the state can transfer funds directly to
the Navy for carefully selected projects at the SUBASE.
In May 2019, Governor Ned Lamont participated in the
formal change of command ceremony at SUBASE New London. In
his remarks, he reconfirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to
enhancing the military value of the SUBASE. While the state had a
new Governor and the SUBASE a new commanding officer, the
innovative investments and unprecedented partnership endures.

200121-N-II118-121 GROTON, Conn. (Jan. 21, 2020) – Cmdr. Bradley Boyd, officer in charge,
Historic Ship Nautilus (SSN 571) and director, Submarine Force Museum shows Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont the name of his uncle who is listed in the book of personnel lost at sea
aboard USS Snook (SS-279). Lamont visited SUBASE New London for his first extended visit to
familiarize himself with submarine operations in the state. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass
Communication Specialist Latrice Jackson/Released)

Previous state-funded projects have included construction
of new buildings to support operations and maintenance,
construction of training equipment, installation of a new high
efficiency boiler for base-wide steam utilities, and purchases of land
and structures for encroachment mitigation on both the northern
and southern perimeters of the base and in the Navy’s area of
operations within the Thames River. The state funded a complete
renovation of the road leading to the main gate, making significant
improvements to public safety, traffic management and physical

In 2015, the State Bond Commission authorized OMA to
provide funding to the Navy for early planning of a microgrid to be
developed on the base. This microgrid will provide resilient
infrastructure and energy security for base operations and
potentially reduce the operating cost of the base by incorporating
clean cogeneration capacity and highly efficient power controls and
distribution systems. In response to the state’s proposal, the
14

 Secretary of the Navy agreed to provide his authority and staff
expertise. He sent delegations to meet with state and local officials
to advance the microgrid project.

important but modest partner in a much larger effort to modernize
the base.

Fuel cell construction is nearly complete. The microgrid,
with a high tech integrated distribution and monitoring systems, is
expected to be fully operational by the end of 2021. The project
was initiated with funding from OMA, then with a larger grant from
the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The
total value of this project is projected to be close to $100M over the
life of several agreements, including an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL),
Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), Long-term Power
Purchase Agreements (PPA) and other Public-Private Partnerships
(PPP) agreements. This project reflects an impressive collection of
innovative financing tools and creative partnering between public
and private sector organizations, all dedicated to creating affordable
resilient energy security for the SUBASE.
In response to another proposal from OMA, the Navy
agreed to join in a new partnership with the State of Connecticut
and a third party investor to build a Consolidated Emergency
Management Center on the base. This new facility will enable the
Navy to demolish two archaic buildings, repurpose two other
buildings and enhance security and safety throughout the base with
state of the art equipment at a much improved location. The State
Bond Commission authorized OMA to invest up to $13M in the
$28M project.

Tech. Sgt. Bryan Dauphinais, 103rd Communications Flight cyber transport journeyman,
analyzes simulated cyberattacks during exercise Cyber Yankee at the Windsor Locks Readiness
Center, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, July 30, 2020. The exercise connects Guardsmen
throughout New England with state and federal agencies and has them work alongside critical
infrastructure utilities to combat simulated cyber attacks from threat actors. (U.S. Air National
Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker)

OMA will continue to work closely with our congressional
delegation, state and local officials, regional stakeholders and Navy
leadership to identify future projects and missions as part of our
ongoing strategy to enhance the military value of the base and
protect it from closure in a future BRAC round.

As important as these ongoing state-funded investments
are, they represent only a small fraction of the military construction
projects underway on the base. Since 2005, there have been over
$500M worth of planning, demolition and construction projects on
the base, with about $27M funded by the state. So, the state is an

Connecticut’s Submarine Industrial Base
Central to the argument Team Connecticut advanced in the
2005 BRAC was that the SUBASE was not given adequate credit for
the unparalleled synergy created in the close proximity and
15

 interactions among so many public and private submarine-related
defense industry and military organizations.
In recent years new organizations have emerged to
collaborate and leverage the region’s undersea expertise. The
National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NVIUT) is a
university-industry partnership that collaborates with the Navy to
advance innovations in workforce, research and technology. The
Naval and Maritime Consortium (NMC)is a network of companies
that collectively address challenges, share solutions, and collaborate
on opportunities in growing national undersea, maritime and
offshore wind supply chains. The OMA Executive Director serves on
the advisory boards of both organizations.
Submarines are designed and built at EB in Groton. All
submarine personnel receive basic and advanced training at the
Naval Submarine School on SUBASE. Fleet-wide integrated tactics
are developed by the newly established Naval Undersea Warfighting
Development Center. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center in
nearby Newport, RI, conducts research and development activities
in Rhode Island and on the SUBASE. The Naval Undersea Medical
Research Labs are located on the base. And the base is home to the
Naval Submarine Force Library and Museum and the Historic Ship
Nautilus. This is the Submarine Capital of the World, where the
nation’s submarine force history and heritage is archived and
commemorated. These organizations, and many others, coalesce to
create a Submarine Force Center of Excellence – the center of
gravity for nation’s military undersea profession. Or, as the current
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper recently characterized this cluster
during a visit to EB, “the Silicon Valley of the undersea world.”

One of the greatest affirmations of this synergy is
demonstrated in the Navy’s decision to establish the Naval
Undersea Warfighting Development Center headquarters at
Submarine Base New London. This global command impacts fleet
operations and organizations all over the world from its
headquarters in southeastern Connecticut.
Understanding the value of this synergy led the state also to
enter into assistance agreements with EB as the nation’s premier
manufacturer of undersea platforms and technologies. In 2007 the
State helped EB refurbish dry docks in its Groton shipyard. The
state’s $9.9M investment helped EB complete a $65M renovation
project that helped keep submarines in Connecticut and brought
other business to the region. Since 2008, EB has generated billions
in sales and hundreds of millions in wages related to submarine
work performed in these dry docks. That work includes overhaul,
repair, maintenance, modernization and post shake down
availability. These depot-level facilities, in such close proximity to
the SUBASE, are also a positive consideration that a future BRAC
16

 commission will take into account when assessing the total military
value of the SUBASE.

In October 2014the state announced an agreement with EB
to help finance the company’s expansion in Groton. Under the
terms of this agreement, the Department of Economic and
Community Development provided a $10 million grant to EB in
support of this $31.5M capital expansion project to purchase and
renovate a building in Groton. This new space was needed to
accommodate 200 new purchasing and supply chain management
jobs.

Subsequently, the state granted EB $15M to help purchase
the former Pfizer headquarters buildings and campus in New
London. This major expansion has given EB the space needed for its
work in designing the new Columbia-class replacement for the aging
Ohio-class strategic ballistic missile submarines (SSBN). Since 2011,
EB has hired 3,206 engineers and 1,264 designers. The building also
accommodates a workforce to produce ongoing technology
upgrades for the Virginia-class submarines. This facility has already
reached its capacity as new employees are being added to the
industrial base in New London.

In 2019, as previously described, EB held a groundbreaking
ceremony for a massive $852M shipyard expansion project to
prepare for the construction of Columbia-class nuclear-powered
SSBNs to replace the decommissioning Ohio-class submarines. All of
the new Columbia class submarines will be assembled in the Groton
shipyard.
While investments in our submarine industrial base are
concentrated in southeastern Connecticut, the impacts are statewide. For example, in the Virginia-class program, over 900 suppliers
are dispersed in all five of the state’s congressional districts, with
the largest concentration in central Connecticut’s 1st District. All
together, they supply over $1B worth of goods and services over a
five-year period. As we seek to maintain production of Virginiaclass submarines at two or more per year, the positive impacts on
our state economy will be pervasive. And the new Columbia-class
submarines will further enhance this economic impact and create
thousands of high-end jobs. The direct and indirect employment
related to submarine construction and repair is forecast to last for
decades.

GROTON, Conn. (July 8, 2020) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Kenneth J. Braithwaite, right,
tours General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn. Braithwaite visited five shipyard
locations to view current work, tour facilities, and met with shipbuilders to discuss industrial
base economic wellness and workforce health, ensuring all are able to support Navy priorities
for Sailors and Marines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
Alexander C. Kubitza/Released)

17

 V.

The National Coast Guard Museum

Much of the financing for the $100M museum is being
raised in a national fundraising campaign coordinated by the
NCGMA. Contingent upon this fundraising effort and a series of
prerequisite agreements with area stakeholders, site preparation is
scheduled to begin in late 2021, and construction of the Museum
could begin as early as 2022.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the only Armed
Service that does not have a national museum. On April 5, 2013,
after a decade of false starts and failed attempts, the Commandant
of the Coast Guard announced the decision to build a National Coast
Guard Museum (NCGM) in downtown New London. The National
Coast Guard Museum Association (NCGMA), a non-profit
organization chartered to build the museum, proposed a state-ofthe-art building at the head of New London City Pier. It will be
adjacent to the Union Station, the Greyhound bus station and Cross
Sound and Fisher’s Island Ferry landings. Governor Malloy
participated in the announcement and committed up to $20M in
state funding to build a pedestrian bridge to connect the museum
with all elements of New London’s multi-modal transportation hub.

Related to the National Coast Guard Museum project is the
Thames River Heritage Park (TRHP) designation for the New London
Harbor. Centuries of American maritime history at sites along the
shores of the Thames River is connected by a water taxi service.
The TRHP Foundation obtained three surplus 40-foot USN utility
boats to provide this service and become part of the maritime
heritage exhibit. The OMA Executive Director serves on the TRHP
Foundation Board of Directors and worked with local officials to
obtain the authentic Navy boats which provide waterborne access
to Thames River historic sites, to eventually include the Submarine
Force Museum and future National Coast Guard Museum.

The Governor directed all state agencies to collaborate in
this undertaking and to help the USCG and City of New London
advance the project. He also directed the OMA to coordinate the
efforts of state agencies on his behalf.

The Connecticut Port Authority granted the Town of Groton
a $750,000 grant through the Small Harbor Improvement Project
Program (SHIPP) to construct a floating pier at the Submarine Force
Library & Museum to receive TRHP boats. This new pier should be
operational for the 2021 summer season. In the years ahead these
Coast Guard and Navy museums, connected by the Thames River,
will become the TRHP major anchor sites and are expected to draw
tens of thousands of people to southeastern Connecticut.

The State Bond Commission approved $500,000 for advance
engineering and design of the pedestrian bridge and authorized the
DECD to enter into an assistance agreement with the NCGMA. The
State of Connecticut, City of New London, USCG and NCGMA
negotiated a Memorandum of Agreement to clearly define roles
and responsibilities in this partnership to build the museum.
State agencies worked closely with project stakeholders to
complete the Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) as required by
the Connecticut Environmental Protection Act. The EIE authorized
detailed engineering and design to proceed on the pedestrian
bridge portion of the project.

VI.

Quality of Life and Military Service in Connecticut

Advocating for service members and their families has
become one of the most important roles of OMA. Military families
stationed in Connecticut for duty assignments and training enjoy
supportive local communities, excellent public schools and the
18

 unique experience of living in New England. As families in
transition, they occasionally need reasonable accommodations and
OMA actively engages state agencies and local organizations on
their behalf.

disabilities all take a toll on children and through awareness and
training we enable communities to better recognize and respond to
these issues.
OMA contributed significant time and resources to help the
Town of East Lyme and the Connecticut National Guard complete a
DOD funded Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) to identify compatibility
issues that arise from training operations in proximity to current
and future municipal development. This study guides the Town
planners in preventing encroachment and protecting the shared
benefits of having two major military installations in their
municipality.

OMA worked with regional leaders at LEARN (a regional
educational service center), and the Military Superintendent’s
Liaison Committee to make charter and magnet schools more
available to military families. The DOD tends to transfer families in
the summer months to avoid moves during the school year.
However, the unintended consequence of this policy is that newly
arriving military families often can’t establish residency in time to
compete in the drawing/lottery for seats in charter and magnet
schools. Area superintendents implemented a program to hold
back a number of seats to be made available to highly mobile
families when they arrive later in the summer months. This benefits
military families, giving them a level playing field to compete for
seats in these unique educational programs.
The State of Connecticut is an active member of the
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military
Children. This national organization recognizes the unique
challenges military children face as members of families in
transition. Making reasonable accommodations for these children
in matters such as immunizations, physicals, administrative and
academic documentation reduces the stress and challenges
associated with the many relocations imposed on military families.

A team from the Connecticut National Guard's 250th Multi-Role Bridge Company drives their
Bridge Erection Boat back toward the shore after dropping off a segment of an Improved
Ribbon Bridge on the Thames River, June 10, 2020. The IRB team practiced creating a fivefloat raft which is designed to transport troops, equipment, and vehicles across a river. (U.S.
Army photo by Tim Koster, Connecticut National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Public
Affairs)

The OMA Executive Director served on the outreach
steering committee for the Military Child Education Coalition in
Connecticut. This organization facilitates training and awareness of
teachers, healthcare providers and other community leaders to the
unique challenges faced by children in military families.
Deployments, relocations, separations, and service-related
19

 A similar DOD-funded JLUS has was completed with the
municipalities surrounding the SUBASE in Groton. A JLUS
Implementation Committee was formed to take actions
recommended in this study. The OMA Executive Director serves as
chairman of the Implementation Committee. A subsequent project
related to the JLUS was a follow-on study that investigated impacts
expected in the regional housing market related to significant
growth at EB as civilian and military families are added to the work
force in southeastern Connecticut. And a new project is underway
examining parking and transportation challenges and opportunities
created by the expansions of facilities and workforce at EB.

Working with the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of
Commerce, annual military appreciation events have been
established in southeastern Connecticut to honor service members
from all branches of the military. These venues offer excellent
opportunities to showcase the supportive relationships and
professional partnerships established between the State and our
military communities. OMA has been closely involved with these
initiatives.
In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern
Connecticut, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and the National Guard,
OMA orchestrated the seventh annual Military Orientation Day to
expose future community leaders to all of the military branches in
eastern Connecticut. The day includes an orientation at the
SUBASE, a tour of a nuclear-powered submarine, a tour of the USCG
Academy or USCG Station New London, and visits to several
National Guard facilities throughout southeastern CT. Weather
permitting, air transportation is provided by National Guard Black
Hawk helicopters, ground transportation is donated by a local livery
service, and waterborne transportation by the USCG. This program
is designed to educate future community leaders on Connecticut
based military missions, ongoing operations, economic impacts, and
civic contributions to the region. These future leaders can in turn
inform other people within their spheres of influence.
The OMA Executive Director was a founding board member
of the Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition and now serves on its
Advisory Council. This newly formed non-profit advocates for the
entertainment, arts, and cultural sectors of the region’s economy.
Military art, history and performance units have played an
instrumental role in the region, and having the military represented
in the organization’s leadership reflects an appreciation of how the
military is so deeply ingrained in the social, civic and economic
landscape of Connecticut.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carley Dolan, 103rd Medical Group aerospace medical technician,
tests a 103rd Airlift Wing Airman for COVID-19 at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East
Granby, Connecticut, June 19, 2020. The 103rd Medical Group worked in partnership with the
Connecticut National Guard 14th Civil Support Team, New York National Guard 24th Civil
Support Team, and Connecticut Department of Public Health to provide COVID-19 testing to
Connecticut Air National Guard personnel. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Steven
Tucker)

20

 impacts within the state. Most importantly, OMA has advanced the
quality of life and quality of service for service members and their
families stationed here and deploying to destinations around the
world.
The state’s diversified defense industries continue to thrive.
Connecticut defense industrial base is thriving due to the high
quality and strategic relevance of the products designed and
manufactured throughout the state. Our defense industries enjoy
superb reputations for their highly skilled workforces, outstanding
management, and efficient business practices.
Residents should be proud of Connecticut’s long history as
the Provisions State. It is a foundational part of our character,
embedded in the economic fabric of our state and a legacy that
should be carefully protected. The Office of Military Affairs will
continue to seek opportunities to enhance the military and defense
industry presence in Connecticut and advocate for the many
organizations and people in our state - particularly military
members and their families - who serve and support our nation’s
defense.

A Soldier assigned to the 142nd Area Support Medical Company checks on a patient at the
Veterans Memorial Armed Forces Center during the unit's medical response training in
Danbury, Connecticut, June 25, 2020. The training involved Soldiers responding to a simulated
medical emergency at an offsite location where they had to assess the situation, render initial
aid, and transport the casualty to the aid station they established, here, where a higher level
of medical treatment was administered. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Koster, Connecticut
National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs)

VII.

Conclusion

Connecticut’s Office of Military Affairs demonstrates an
efficient model for achieving tangible strategic outcomes. Since it
was established, the office produced a partnership with the Navy
that was unprecedented in the United States. The SUBASE is now in
a much better position to withstand another round of BRAC. The
Connecticut National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Academy are
realizing and planning for expansions with new facilities to support
their missions. The state and City of New London are looking
forward to being the home of the National Coast Guard Museum.
OMA has helped coordinate consistent and sustained support for
increases in defense and military spending, and positive economic

___________________________
Robert T. Ross
Executive Director
Questions or comments concerning this report should be directed
to the OMA Executive Director, at (860) 500-2374 or to
bob.ross@ct.gov.

21

 Appendix B: Biography of OMA Executive Director

Appendix A: Public Act No. 15-65
Connecticut General Assembly
House Bill No. 6833
Public Act No. 15-65
AN ACT CONCERNING THE QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
THE OFFICE OF MILITARY AFFAIRS.

ROBERT T. ROSS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Bob Ross is Executive Director of the Connecticut Office of Military Affairs. He was originally
appointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell in July 2009, reappointed twice by Governor Dannel P.
Malloy, and reappointed to a fourth term by Governor Ned Lamont. He serves as an advisor
to the Governor and legislature on defense industry issues and is the primary liaison to the
Connecticut congressional delegation on military and defense matters. He is responsible for
coordinating state-wide efforts to protect Connecticut military bases and facilities from closure
in future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds. He also represents the state in local
efforts to enhance quality of life for service members and military families residing in or
deploying from Connecticut.

Section 1. Subsection (b) of section 32-58b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2015):
(b) The Governor, in consultation with the Commissioner of Economic and Community
Development, shall appoint an executive director to manage the daily activities and duties of
the Office of Military Affairs. The executive director shall have the necessary qualifications to
perform the duties of said office, including, but not limited to, having prior military
experience, and having attained the rank of a field grade or senior officer within a branch of
the armed forces. The Governor shall give preference to any person with the necessary
training and experience who has served in the Navy or who has knowledge or prior
experience with the federal Base Realignment and Closure or "BRAC" process. Within
available appropriations, the executive director shall: (1) Appoint, employ and remove such
assistants, employees and personnel as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective
administration of the activities of the office; (2) coordinate state and local efforts to prevent
the closure or downsizing of Connecticut military facilities, particularly United States Naval
Submarine Base-New London, located in Groton; (3) maximize the state's input into the
federal Base Realignment and Closure or "BRAC" process, including, but not limited to, (A)
acting as liaison to the state's congressional delegation on defense, military and BRAC issues,
and (B) coordinating the activities of consultants hired by the state to assist in monitoring
activities related to BRAC; (4) encourage the relocation of military missions to the state; (5)
coordinate state and local efforts to enhance the quality of life of all branches of military
personnel stationed in or deploying from Connecticut and their families living or working in
Connecticut; (6) review and make recommendations for state policies that affect
Connecticut's military facilities and defense and homeland security industries; (7) coordinate
state, regional and local efforts to encourage the growth of Connecticut's defense and
homeland security industry; (8) serve as an advocate for service members and their families
to other state agencies; (9) initiate and sustain collaborative partnerships with local military
commanders; (10) consult with the Department of Economic and Community Development
on proposed financial assistance agreements with defense and homeland security firms; and
(11) prepare and submit a report of activities, findings and recommendations annually to the
Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
matters relating to commerce and public safety, in accordance with the provisions of section
11-4a.

He is a retired naval officer who piloted aircraft carriers and guided missile cruisers before
directing public affairs for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, encompassing naval operations ashore and at
sea in the Mediterranean, European and North African areas of responsibility. He also served
as a spokesman at the Pentagon and was director of community and media relations for the
U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
He holds an M.A. in National Security and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport,
RI, and an M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Connecticut. As a
former City Administrator for the City of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and former First Selectman
(Mayor) of the Town of Salem, Connecticut, he has decades of experience in federal, state, and
municipal government. He was previously selected by the national Association of Defense
Communities as their Member of the Year for leadership and commitment and currently serves
as a member of their Board of Directors. He is a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of
Eastern Connecticut and former Commissioner on the Connecticut Maritime Commission. He
is a former Adjunct Professor of Public Policy in the UCONN Graduate School and is a recipient
of the UCONN Department of Public Policy Distinguished Alumni award for continued
commitment and excellence in public administration.

Approved June 19, 2015

22