OP-ED: How will we defend this nation in the future? The answers lie in Arizona
National security is vital to all Americans and our way of life. You may not know it, but Arizona makes a substantial contribution to the defense of our country.
As Congress debates the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2020, it's worth taking stock of all this state does to protect us from global threats.
Not only American, but also international defense forces rely on Arizona's world-class military expertise, defense installations, equipment manufacturing, community support, and wide-open spaces and exceptional climate for the public-private aerospace and defense enterprise.
Arizona's airspace trains the world
Department of Defense and Arizona National Guard installations in our state offer unmatched access to airspace and ranges.
This allows our warfighters and foreign partners to operate in an environment that is tailored to their mission objectives.
At Fort Huachuca, home of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, soldiers train to become intelligence operators for the Army.
The Arizona National Guard's Western Army Aviation Training Site has the expertise to deliver Apache training to U.S. Army pilots and allies.
We test combat vehicles and cannons
Expanding this site for AH-64 Apache foreign military-sales training not only allows the United States to foster stronger relationships with our allies, but it also streamlines the Army's Apache training operations.
The Barry M. Goldwater Air Range in southern Arizona forms a joint training complex of roughly 1.7 million acres of undisturbed air space that supports a large variety of operations for the Department of Defense.
The Goldwater range supports F-35 training at Luke Air Force Base near Glendale and at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma; A-10 and F-16 training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson; and the Tucson Air National Guard Base.
The Army Yuma Proving Ground develops and tests critical equipment that our soldiers use on the battlefield. The proving ground is the Army's primary location to test its Extended Range Cannon Artillery for long-range precision fire, one of the Army's top modernization priorities.
The proving ground also tests ground-combat vehicles, aircraft armament, unmanned systems and other weapons systems under development.
We develop helicopters and weapons
The defense industry, particularly in the east Valley, helps to develop many of the weapons systems that are fielded to our troops deployed around the world. For example, the AH-64 Apache – the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopter – is made locally in Mesa, as well as the 30 mm Bushmaster Chain Gun that fits into several weapons systems, including the Apache.
This kind of superior firepower is critical for American and allied troops facing a hostile enemy downrange. Other national security programs, like our missile defense systems, are also developed in the east Valley, and then deployed to execute our national defense strategic objectives.
Why your support is so important
The critical work that both private and public sector entities in Arizona do for our national defense could not be done without the outpouring of support from communities across the state.
State and local leaders have formed community groups that support our military bases and the defense industry.
The Mesa Industry and Defense Council, the Northern Arizona Military Affairs Council, the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance, the Yuma 50, among other support organizations, provide incredible support to our aerospace and defense businesses.
The economic development efforts of these organizations, and the volunteer work to support our soldiers, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen, and sailors and their families is inspiring.
The Arizona congressional delegation fights daily to ensure that the missions of the Department of Defense and its industry partners are carried out successfully.
The future of the Department of Defense rests on Arizona, to develop, test, build and train for our world-class military. We will continue to fight to keep Arizona at the forefront of our national security infrastructure, and America will be better off for it.
Martha McSally is a United States senator representing Arizona. Andy Biggs is a member of the U.S. House, representing the 5th Congressional District in the East Valley.