Donnelly Hosts Defense Secretary Carter for Historic Visit to NSA Crane

Crane, Ind. — Today, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly hosted U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at Naval Support Activity Crane. Donnelly invited Carter to visit Crane, Indiana’s largest military facility. Donnelly and Carter toured the installation, focusing on the capabilities of the base’s Naval Surface Warfare Center, which is home to numerous research laboratories, testing facilities, and cutting-edge technology development centers. They also met with servicemembers and civilian employees. The visit was part of Carter’s effort to see installations preparing and training our warfighters of the future.

Donnelly said, “It was a great honor to host Secretary Ash Carter at Crane for today’s historic visit – the first ever by a Secretary of Defense at Crane. Crane is one of our nation’s most important military laboratories – with thousands of Hoosiers working behind the scenes to keep our nation safe and help our troops return home safely. While Crane has been referred to as one of the Pentagon’s best-kept secrets we’re trying to change that, and I am pleased Secretary Carter could see the base firsthand. ”

Secretary Carter during a media availability at Crane said in part, “I want to thank Senator Donnelly for knowing the importance of this place [Crane] and making the suggestion to me that we come here together to learn about what’s going there, to make sure that I am up to date on the fantastic work being done here, to thank the fantastic group of staff here, and also the community for supporting this installation…They do things that range from our nuclear deterrent…to supporting today’s warfighter, who are protecting us and our people and our country right now…to high-tech and incredibly important areas for our future like electronic warfare…Crane has a bright future.”

Captain JT Elder, Commanding Officer of NSWC Crane said, “What a great day for Team Crane! This historic visit provided Secretary Carter a firsthand look at a sampling of the many ways in which NSWC Crane’s technical expertise is providing national leadership in innovative solutions that keep our nation’s warfighters safe. Senator Donnelly’s leadership was instrumental in making this visit happen. We value his continual efforts to advocate for Crane, both in Washington, DC and Indiana.”

NSA Crane is the third-largest U.S. Navy installation in the world and is home to numerous research laboratories, testing facilities, and cutting-edge technology development center. This year marks Crane’s 75^th anniversary. NSA Crane has an annual business base of approximately $2 billion. With nearly 3,700 civilian employees and 1,700 contractors, NSA Crane is one of Indiana’s largest employers.

In his role on the Senate Armed Services Committee and as ranking member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Donnelly has worked to bring top leaders to Crane including then-Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command 4-star Army General Joseph Votel and then-Commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) General Charles Jacoby.