Ft. Huachuca Military Priorities Secured by Sinema in Annual Defense Bill

Press Release

Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema secured military priorities for Ft. Huachuca's military community in the annual defense bill, which passed Congress with bipartisan support today.

"Arizona servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep us safe and secure, and it is our duty to ensure our troops have full access to critical resources. Today's passage of the annual defense bill strengthens support for servicemembers, increases resources to the Ft. Huachuca community, and maintains Arizona's leadership in our national defense," said Sinema.

"The Huachuca 50 is grateful for the leadership of our Senators who listened to the needs of the community and ensured that the National Defense Authorizations Act for 2021 addresses some of Fort Huachuca's most pressing needs. These include more than $34 million for a new Defense Information System Agency laboratory on Fort Huachuca, welcome changes to the DOD medical program, and increased support for Sentinel Landscape. The Huachuca 50 looks forward to working with our elected officials during the remainder of this Congress," said the Huachuca 50.

Sinema secured the following for Ft. Huachuca's military community:

3 Percent Pay Raise for Arizona Servicemembers

Funding for the Defense Information Systems Agency Laboratory Building at Fort Huachuca
· Sinema secured $33.7 million for military construction on the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Laboratory Building at Fort Huachuca. The DISA Lab Building will consolidate Joint Interoperability Test Command (JTIC) operations, which are currently located in temporary trailers, into a modern facility at Fort Huachuca. JITC testbed facility will provide global testing capabilities, which extends to the entire spectrum of DoD, Federal government, private industry, and allies in support of commands and control, intelligence and defense reform initiative.

Funding for Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems
· Sinema secured $28 million for Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems used at Fort Huachuca. The resources secured will help Army units conduct advanced intelligence collection and electronic warfare.

Funding to Protect Land for Fort Huachuca
· Sinema secured $100 million for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program, allowing the Department of Defense to partner with conservation trusts to acquire land. The land will be used to protect Fort Huachuca from commercial or residential encroachment that could undermine training or the use of the airspace.

Increased Coverage of Agent Orange Exposure for Vietnam Veterans
· Sinema ensured Parkinsonism, bladder cancer, and hypothyrodism were added to the diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act
· Sinema secured inclusion of her VA Mission Telehealth Clarification Act. Sinema's bipartisan bill allows Department of Veterans Affairs health trainees to train on and utilize the VA telehealth system. During the coronavirus pandemic, many non-emergency medical services are now being conducted via telehealth. Increasing access to telehealth for Arizona veterans will reduce the spread of the coronavirus and help save lives.

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