Alamogordo (NM) Daily News - New Era Dawns for Alamogordo

Op-Ed

Alamogordo (NM) Daily News - New Era Dawns for Alamogordo

New Era Dawns for Alamogordo

Guest Column By Pete V. Domenici, United States senator

Alamogordo (NM) Daily News June 1, 2008

June brings with it the dawn of a new era for the Alamogordo area as the first F-22A Raptors arrive at Holloman Air Force Base. It is an era that will solidify the Alamogordo region's contribution to the evolution of modern military aviation.

There is no doubt that for almost 70 years the Department of Defense has recognized the benefits of New Mexico's outstanding weather and wide open airspace, as well as a patriotic local population willing to support national security.

Our military leaders found these assets in spades in the Tularosa Basin, which has experienced dramatic changes since the federal government decided in 1942 to establish the Alamogordo Army Airfield here to train World War II bomber crews.

With the designation of Holloman AFB, this military installation has continuously transitioned to support our nation's defense. In the post-World War II era, it was home to an Air Force Missile Research and Development Center that supported our military in the Cold War and space race. The arrival of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1968 with the F-4 Phantom created a tactical wing base that gave strength to the Air Force during the Vietnam War era.

In the next decades, Holloman remained at the forefront of air-to-air and air superiority operations through its transitions to the F-15 and F-117A Nighthawk. The base's evolution continues today as we welcome the newest stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, to Otero County.

I've worked throughout my Senate career to build up Holloman and the other military installations in New Mexico. Though less obvious as a direct benefit to our state, I have also offered diligent support to funding and programs that ensure our Air Force's global air superiority. The research, development and procurement funding the congressional defense committees have approved have led us to a point where we can introduce a new generation of fighter aircraft like the F-22.

As far as I'm concerned, the F-22 Raptor is the "tip of the spear." It will work to guarantee our air dominance in theaters of operation. Holloman will be home to a fighter aircraft that is designed to penetrate enemy airspace and achieve a first-look, first-kill capability against multiple targets. This means complete control of the airspace over an area of conflict, thereby allowing freedom to attack and freedom from attack at all times and places for the full spectrum of military operations. Such air domination gives us the ability to defend our forces while simultaneously attacking the enemy.

Stealth technology is not new. From its rudimentary development at the end of WWII as a way to defeat enemy radar identification, stealth technology has evolved into the modern day combat systems we see today.

The United States has always been at the forefront of stealth technology as evidenced by the F-117A and now the F-22 at Holloman AFB. The next step in stealth fighter technology is the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter which the Air Force intends to start fielding by 2013. Hopefully these aircraft will replace our F-16s at Kirtland Air Force Base, giving New Mexico two stealth fighter wings.

Over the last 36 years, we've seen the Cold War threat to our national security crumble, but the benefits of that achievement have been clouded by new threats. Today, we have new and ever-changing foes with growing access to emerging technology that pose new threats to our security.

I believe southern New Mexicans can take pride in knowing that the F-22's state-of-the-art technology, advanced tactics and skilled air crew will counter the lethal threats posed by the foreign aircraft and the advanced missile technologies that are emerging threats in today's world.

The Air Force is entering a new era with the F-22, as are Holloman AFB and the Alamogordo region. We look forward to this new transition period as gracious and enthusiastic hosts to our brave airmen, crews and their families.

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