The fiscal year 2019 Defense Appropriations Act, which the House advanced last week, includes increased funding for several Arizona military programs and installations.
The package includes $144 million for new A-10 wings which will re-wing between 14-20 planes, Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) said. It also features funding that supports Arizona’s military installations. Among them is $15 million for an Aerospace Ground Equipment facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base; $40 million for additional military construction for F-35 aircraft maintenance unit facility and squad operations at Luke Air Force Base; $58.9 million to modernize Yuma Proving Ground and the Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca; $216 million to update the Compass Call fleet; and $9.4 billion for 93 F-35 aircraft, which supports 27 different Arizona suppliers and over 6,000 jobs for Arizonans.
Additionally, it supports the acquisition of six additional AH-64 Apache helicopters, which are made in Mesa. Further, it puts $771 million toward advanced defense technology research, which benefits Arizona’s research enterprises.
“This is a pivotal funding year for our nation’s defense. The previous administration atrophied the effectiveness of our country’s military. Because of the Trump Administration’s partnership with Congress, we are reversing this dangerous trend and are providing our troops with the tools they need to be ready to fight at a moment’s notice. This legislation injects desperately needed resources for training and equipment while investing in the modernization and development of the U.S. armed forces,” McSally said. “Arizona’s defense industry remains at the forefront of the effort in support of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, and I fought hard to ensure this bill not only supports missions at our bases but also gives our suppliers and manufacturers the certainty they need to continue delivering superior, life-saving equipment and weaponry to the Warfighter.”
Finally, the bill includes a 2.6 percent pay raise for military members—the largest increase in almost a decade. It also features additional funding for health care and family programs for troops, military families, and retirees. Further, it outlays $125 million for traumatic brain injury and psychological health research and $318 million for sexual assault prevention.