Posted on 09/02/2014 6:50:46 AM PDT by SandRat
Cochise County and our surrounding region could be losing up to 2,700 jobs unless we change leadership in Congress.
The Department of the Army was forced by the Budget Control Act to draft a proposal for massive budget cuts — including a maximum cut of 2,700 positions at Fort Huachuca plus potential cuts in contractors.
If these cuts go through, they will have a disastrous impact on our community. Fort Huachuca is the largest employer in Cochise County and a key part of the Sierra Vista economy. The Fort has the biggest economic impact of any base in the state, employing approximately 7,000 civilians and 5,000 active duty troops.
With so much at stake, we cannot afford to have a representative in Congress, our first line of defense, who does not have a working knowledge of Fort Huachuca’s unique assets and their critical role in ensuring our national security. Families and businesses across our community depend on the economic activity Fort Huachuca brings — they need someone they can count on.
I’m running for Congress because I don’t walk by a problem, and the reckless military cuts forced by sequestration are serious problems for our national defense and local economy.
Fort Huachuca — a national security treasure — has unique and indispensible capabilities our Army cannot replicate elsewhere. I know this first-hand.
The Fort is the only U.S. location where aggressive electronic warfare can be conducted and is the only test range protected by a federal mandate. Fort Huachuca is the leader in America’s 21st century missions—from unmanned aircraft missions and intelligence to cyber, signal, and interagency operations.
In my 26-year military career, I worked with Fort Huachuca’s unique and critical missions first-hand and have the insight and experience needed to fight for this base and its missions.
During my time in uniform, I worked with many Army intelligence professional trained at Fort Huachuca, including the current commander MG Ashley. I served in leadership positions in two joint assignments (with Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines all in one organization) and deployed six total times to the Middle East/Afghanistan for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. We utilized many of the capabilities developed, trained, and tested at Fort Huachuca and saw the success of their work fighting modern warfare. I also learned to fly the A-10 using Libby Army Airfield and as an A-10 squadron commander, I could not have ensured the training and readiness of my squadron without this vital asset.
In 2013, I testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the use of “drones” in counter-terrorism operations based on my experience leading the planning and oversight of counter-terrorism mission in Africa. While serving as a Legislative Fellow for Senator Jon Kyl, I worked on cyber security issues and understand the importance of cyber to our military and national defense.
In response to the Army’s request for comment on the proposed cuts, I sent a letter to Army officials laying out the military and economic importance of the base, but, admittedly, this alone will not stop the cuts. Many other bases around the country have been targeted for force reductions, meaning we will need leaders who can fight for this base in Washington and protect our jobs at home.
Throughout my time in uniform, I witnessed first-hand the redundancies, inefficiencies, and waste in our military spending and will provide appropriate oversight to defense spending in Congress.
We need a strategy-based budget, not a budget-based strategy. Savings can be achieved but they should be found in a thoughtful, strategy-driven way that doesn’t risk our national security.
In addition to finding defense savings that are thoughtful and strategy-driven, we must address the root of the problem: the harmful sequestration, which is a long word for “failure of leadership.”
The unwillingness of Members of Congress from both parties to sit down and simply work together to solve our budget problems is why we are in this situation. Nowhere else, whether it’s in business or the home, is this childish and stubborn behavior acceptable - it shouldn’t be in Congress.
When elected, I promise to put the needs of the people of Southern Arizona above all else; to work with members from both parties on bipartisan solutions; and to bring the leadership we need and first-hand expertise to fight for Fort Huachuca and our community. We have a responsibility to the people in our community who count on this base to stop these harmful cuts, and I am well-equipped to lead that effort in Congress.
MARTHA MCSALLY is a retired Air Force colonel and candidate for Congress. Arizona District No. 2
The same thing is happening in Yuma. The Yuma Army Proving Ground. They have been bleeding jobs for the last 3 years, withe more layoffs coming. The Marine Corps Air Station has faired better for now, but time will tell if it holds. Like Sierra Vista Yuma is a military town.
Yuma Proving grounds used to be a sub - post of Huachuca. Don’t know if it still is.
McSally (R) is running against Ron Barber, who was office boy for Gabby Giffords.
After re-districting hopefully the district will turn Republican. RCP has it as a toss-up, and Barber's TV ads are pushing him as a "maverick" (where have we heard that before in AZ?) who doesn't always follow Obama, and wants to keep the local A-10’s.
McSally is a real A-10 pilot, vs. the office boy...:^)
The district has a low Hispanic population so border issues should be less contentious.
85.5% White, 2.2% Black, 1.7% Asian, 14.2% Hispanic, 2.2% Native American, 6% other
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