WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH AUTEC?
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AUTEC, Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center,
is a United States Navy project offering underwater testing, in-air test facilities and support to United States, Canadian, British, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other military and civilian organizations. AUTEC Andros Island, Bahamas (ASD) and AUTEC West Palm Beach, Florida (WPB) are United States Navy facilities. A small detachment of US Navy personnel are stationed at these facilities, with primary responsibility for protection of military interests. The Maintenance & Operations contractor maintains and operates AUTEC under contract with the US Navy. Approximately 45 civil service personnel, Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC), have responsibility for oversight of AUTEC operations and the Maintenance & Operations contractor.
So, what’s the problem with “AUTEC?”
… quite a few actually. Let’s take a closer look —>
To begin with, the mission of AUTEC is to study new, more advanced ways to conduct war.
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A major national security liability is being cast as a security asset. Americans, Bahamians, marine life, and the climate are paying the price. Our government is playing war with its own submarines in the Bahamas while ocean temperatures shoot off the charts. Floridians are footing the bill.
Is this really the best use of our resources?
At a time when we are facing a deadly and dangerous war in Europe that has a real risk of escalating and even going nuclear, shouldn’t we be studying better ways to advance diplomacy?
On March 9, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration submitted to Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget request of $842 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD), an increase of $26 billion over FY 2023 levels and $100 billion more than FY 2022.