Arizona Senators Secure Major Defense Priorities in Bipartisan Annual Defense Bill

Strategic Insights -

Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced that they secured significant defense priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was passed by the Senate today. The defense bill advances efforts to bring new missions to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, makes critical infrastructure upgrades to military installations across Arizona, and raises servicemember pay to support military families. The Senate will now negotiate with the U.S. House of Representatives over a final defense bill. Arizona plays a crucial role in national defense, and this bill is critical to bringing new missions to Davis-Monthan by funding the necessary site reviews and providing accountability on the timeline for standing up a new special operations wing at the base.

Key Takeaways:

  • $5 million was allocated to carry out the ongoing site review and planning to establish the new Special Operations Power Projection wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
  • $8.5 million was added for the Air Force Reserve's Guardian Angel Preservation of the Force and Family Facility, which will support troop readiness by providing space for exercise, physical therapy, rehabilitation, mental health, and family counseling.
  • $2.6 million was allocated towards upgrading the Control Tower, Fire Station, and Base Operations Complex at the Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield, used by Luke Air Force Base pilots for training.
  • 48 F-35s were procured for the Air Force to continue growing the F-35A fighter fleet, whose pilots are trained at Luke Air Force Base.
  • The existing military land withdrawal for the Barry M. Goldwater Range was extended for an additional 25 years to ensure continuous support for training in Arizona.
  • Funding was continued for the Radar Range Replacement Program to modernize advanced test sites like Yuma Test Center at Yuma Proving Ground.
  • An expedited $5 million was allocated for planning and design for the upgrading of the water treatment plant at Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma.

Statistics:

  • $5 million: allocated to carry out the ongoing site review and planning to establish the new Special Operations Power Projection wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
  • $8.5 million: added for the Air Force Reserve's Guardian Angel Preservation of the Force and Family Facility.
  • $2.6 million: allocated towards upgrading the Control Tower, Fire Station, and Base Operations Complex at the Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield.
  • 48 F-35s: procured for the Air Force.
  • 25 years: extension of the existing military land withdrawal for the Barry M. Goldwater Range.
  • $5 million: allocated for expedited planning and design for the upgrading of the water treatment plant at Marine Corps Air Station at Yuma.

Sources:

  • Office of Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema
  • Office of Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
  • Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)