SASC Chairman John McCain Announces Arizona Defense Priorities in National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018

Press Release

U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today announced the completion of the committee's markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (NDAA). The committee voted unanimously today to pass the bill, which authorizes $700 billion in funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. During the markup, 277 amendments--offered by both Republican and Democratic members--were considered and adopted. The legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Chairman McCain also announced the provisions within the NDAA that are of significant importance to the State of Arizona:

"I am very proud that the Senate Armed Services Committee has once again produced a bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act that ensures America's brave men and women serving around the world are well-funded and well-equipped," said Chairman McCain. "This year's bill builds on the sweeping reforms that Congress has passed in recent years and starts the process of rebuilding our military after six years of devastating cuts to our defense budget. By authorizing $700 billion, this bill begins to address the readiness shortfall, crisis in modernization, and eroding military advantage by recapitalizing and reinvesting in our forces.

"I am particularly proud that the NDAA once again recognizes and enhances Arizona's unique contributions to national security. From keeping the A-10s flying at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and funding additional Apache Attack Helicopters that protect frontline warfighters, to training the next-generation of fighter pilots at the unparalleled Barry Goldwater Range, the NDAA will ensure Arizona's proud service members have the training, resources and equipment they need to rise to the challenges of a more dangerous world."

The following provisions important to Arizona are included in the NDAA:

KEEPING THE A-10 FLYING AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE

The NDAA would once again prevent any premature retirement of the A-10 Warthog, many of which are stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. This would ensure the A-10 continues its vital role in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and supporting NATO's efforts in Eastern Europe to deter Russian aggression. In addition, the NDAA would authorize $109 million to fully fund wing replacements for A-10s, bringing production to its maximum capacity and funding for this year and next. Finally, the NDAA would authorize the flight hours, pilot training, fuel, maintenance and ammunition for all A-10s in the upcoming year.

PRESERVING THE EC-130H COMPASS CALL ELECTRONIC ATTACK FLEET AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE

The NDAA would fully fund the EC-130H Compass Call electronic attack and electronic early warning airplanes stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. These jamming and surveillance planes are critical to protecting our ground troops from sophisticated electronic attacks in conflicts across the Middle East, as well as against potential threats in the Pacific and Europe.

DEFENSE RESEARCH EXPANSION THROUGH ARIZONA UNIVERSITIES

The NDAA would formalize the University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) process for all branches of the DOD. By increasing access to the technical expertise of advanced research institutions, Arizona's premier universities could be leveraged to address the most pressing challenges facing the Department around cybersecurity, unmanned systems, machine learning, and more.

ADVANCING INNOVATION FOR DOD THROUGH ARIZONA UNIVERSITIES

The NDAA would encourage the DOD to partner with academic research institutions that can support the Secretary of Defense's Strategic Capabilities Office, which combines commercially available components with innovative technologies and advanced battlefield concepts to propel our nation's military. This would provide Arizona's universities with the opportunity to directly contribute to the DOD's need to innovate and address emerging threats through rapid prototyping.

LEVERAGING ARIZONA'S WORKFORCE

The NDAA would encourage DOD to leverage best practices developed in Arizona to directly connect highly qualified transitioning service members to employment opportunities, representing an intersection of military, business, education and local communities.

TRAINING THE NEXT-GENERATION OF FIGHTER PILOTS

The NDAA would fund 94 F-35 fighter jets for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, ensuring Arizona has the highest concentration of 5th generation fighters in the world. Luke Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma will continue to provide unparalleled training and access to the Barry Goldwater Range complex, not just for America's, but also our allies' next-generation fighter pilots.

ENHANCING ARIZONA'S SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

EAST VALLEY

Fully funds 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets needed for combating ISIL and maintaining global security, ensuring Arizona's defense industry continues to manufacture and innovate new weapons systems and defense technologies our warfighters need to defend and protect our nation.
Includes funding for larger weapons systems, including the F-35 aircraft. This would directly employ 31 different suppliers in the East Valley, providing both services and manufacturing products throughout Arizona.
CHANDLER

Directs DOD research entities to review F-35 Joint Strike Fighter batteries in search of a Lithium-Ion battery that reduces weight, increases life of the battery, and reduces cost.
Funding includes significant investments in Ballistic Missile Defense research and development that would support Arizona businesses in both traditional intercept methods and directed energy technology.
MESA

Fully funds the Army's request of $1.4 billion for a total of 74 Apache helicopters. Combined with last year's approved multi-year purchase agreement, this would provide Mesa with stability and predictability for Apache manufacturing for decades and save critical taxpayer dollars.
Continues modernizing Armored Brigade Combat Teams by adding $347.5 million above the President's Budget for the Army to upgrade the 30mm Bushmaster Automatic Cannons.
PHOENIX

Funds Arizona's next-generation products that enable automation, reduce maintenance and reduce overall costs for Ford Class Aircraft Carriers.
TUCSON

Funds the manufacturing of 100 Tomahawks, 495 Sidewinders, 325 AMRAAMs, 1178 Javelins, 576 Stingers, 19 Griffins and 31 ESSMs to be manufactured at Raytheon in Tucson, totaling $1.54 billion.
Funds the Navy's request for 125 Standard Missiles to be developed at Raytheon in Tucson, totaling $557.8 million.
Fully funds the Missile Defense Agency's programs for Boost Phase Technology, supporting large and small local business contractors.
TEMPE

Directs the Department to continue research and aircraft application crash-worthy and ballistically tolerant fuel systems, made only in Arizona. This language would streamline active and reserve assets, and equalize requirements for main and auxiliary fuel tanks on aircraft. The NDAA would also require DOD to investigate like fuel systems on ground vehicles.
SUPPORTING NEW MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AT ARIZONA BASES

The NDAA would provide much-needed funding for military construction projects in Arizona, including:

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson: $22 million for training buildings
Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista: $30 million for equip maintenance facilities
Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma: $36.4 million for an enlisted dining facility and community buildings
STRENGTHENING BORDER SECURITY

Formalizes the ongoing coordination of DOD and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assets, including unmanned aircraft from Arizona bases such as Fort Huachuca, to assist with border security operations. The bill would also require a comprehensive report on joint training operations used to combat illicit drug trafficking and secure the U.S.-Mexico border. This would enhance the military's ability to share information and intelligence collected during training that could benefit drug interdiction and border security operations of DHS and civilian law enforcement. These provisions would not only increase military readiness, but also help Arizona address illegal immigration, illicit drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other criminal activities that threaten state and national security. The goal of the program would be to eventually transition from a pilot program to full scale implementation.
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to evaluate the National Guard Counterdrug Program's approach to resource allocation in order to highlight proper oversight and strategic alignment with DOD on counter-narcotics initiatives. Once both agencies come to a joint understanding and align priorities, our military and National Guard assets can fully realize a complete counterdrug mission.
Requires DOD, in consultation with DHS, the Department of State, and other relevant departments and agencies, to provide a written update on the status of DOD's support for efforts to combat illegal trafficking in commodities, particularly as it relates to the financing of terrorism, the empowerment of transnational organized crime organizations, and the destabilization of governments worldwide. By understanding the full scope of this problem on a national level, DOD can strategically and proportionally respond.
USNS NAVAJO

The NDAA contains report language that would support the naming of a new class of Navy tug ships after Native American tribes beginning with the USNS Navajo.

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