Rep. Mark Takano Leads Bipartisan Letter Opposing the Relocation of Defense Media Activity Functions from March Air Reserve Base
Riverside, CA – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) sent a letter signed by Rep. Calvert and Sens. Feinstein and Harris of California to Acting Secretary of Defense, Patrick Shanahan, expressing concern and opposition to the Department of Defense’s ongoing effort to relocate Defense Media Activity (DMA) functions currently stationed at March Air Reserve Base, which would lead to the elimination of the positions of about 250 employees.
In the letter, Members write, “DMA-Riverside stands as a premiere broadcasting and production center for America's defense community. Certain functions within DMA-Riverside are exclusive to this location, including serving as the origination point for satellite distribution of U.S. radio and television entertainment and public information from commanders to troops stationed worldwide, including sailors at sea. DMA-Riverside serves a unique role for the larger DMA network and we believe this strategic importance remains to this day.”
The letter is led by Rep. Mark Takano and he is joined by 3 Members of the California Congressional Delegation, including Republican Representative Ken Calvert.
The letter is here and below:
May 17, 2019
The Honorable Patrick M. Shanahan
Acting Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000
Dear Acting Secretary Shanahan:
We write today concerned by the Defense Media Activity's (DMA) ongoing review of its operations in Riverside, CA. We request that DMA provide a written report detailing how it intends to continue to fulfill its mission to communicate messages and themes from Defense Department (DOD) leadership to servicemembers and their families worldwide, including to sailors at sea, prior to any relocation decisions.
As you know, Defense Media Activity-Riverside is housed at March Air Reserve Base and is composed of three different components: American Forces Network Broadcast Center; Television-Audio Support Activity; and Defense Imagery Management Operations Center (DIMOC). There are about 250 total personnel at this location, including military, managers, and contractor personnel.
DMA-Riverside stands as a premiere broadcasting and production center for America's defense community. Certain functions within DMA-Riverside are exclusive to this location, including serving as the origination point for satellite distribution of U.S. radio and television entertainment and public information from commanders to troops stationed worldwide, including sailors at sea. DMA-Riverside serves a unique role for the larger DMA network and we believe this strategic importance remains to this day.
We recognize the Department's efforts to modernize and consolidate DMA's operations, but we are concerned that DMA has initiated a Corps of Engineers facility assessment prior to determining if it can meet its global mission requirements after transitioning to Internet-based technologies. We look forward to reviewing the requested report to ensure DMA does not consolidate its facilities at the expense of satisfying its current mission requirements.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure DMA is capable of executing its mission.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mark Takano
Rep. Ken Calvert
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Sen. Kamala Harris
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