Senator Mark Kelly Secures Major Arizona and National Security Priorities in Defense Bill

Strategic Insights -

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly announced that he secured significant Arizona and national security priorities during the Senate Armed Services Committee's review of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill, which passed out of committee on a bipartisan vote, includes measures to prevent cuts to the Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca and other electronic warfare test and evaluation sites, continue construction at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, and fund infrastructure upgrades at other Arizona installations. Kelly, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland, led work on the portions of the NDAA that cover Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Reserve planning, programs, procurement, and research and development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kelly secured a provision to prevent cuts to the Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca without reporting to congressional defense committees.
  • He authorized 34 new F-35A's for the Air Force and requires a roadmap for Air Force bombers to advance the B-21 to manufacturing and production.
  • Kelly secured funding for infrastructure upgrades at Arizona installations, including $26.1 million for MCAS Yuma's water treatment plant, $6.7 million for barracks replacements, and $4 million for Camp Navajo's entry bridge.
  • The bill supports the Kelly-backed servicemember right to repair initiative and requires contractors for covered equipment to submit instructions for continued operational readiness.
  • Kelly included provisions to expand Arizona's critical role in national security, including the defense of Ft. Huachuca and the continued construction of new flying missions at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
  • The bill requires DOD to develop a roadmap for the small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) industrial base and supports the development and testing of innovative technologies and capability solutions.
  • Kelly requested a quarterly report from DOD on the Defense posture at the Southwest border and supports increased cooperation between the U.S. and Mexican militaries through a joint counter-transnational criminal organization training program.

Statistics:

  • $26.1 million for MCAS Yuma's water treatment plant
  • $6.7 million for barracks replacements
  • $4 million for Camp Navajo's entry bridge
  • $45 million for Luke Air Force Base's child development center
  • $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
  • $500 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through 2028
  • 3.8 percent pay raise for military service members

Sources:

  • Office of the Senator Mark Kelly
  • National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
  • Senate Armed Services Committee
  • United States Department of Defense (DOD)
  • Arizona National Guard
  • Morris Air National Guard Base
  • McCain Irregular Warfare Center - Center of Excellence
  • Camp Navajo
  • Southwest Border Oversight and Cooperation
  • Recruitment
  • Nuclear Program Oversight and Assessment
  • Security Cooperation and Supporting American Alliances
  • Stopping China from Obtaining U.S. Military Expertise
  • Support for Servicemembers and military families