Arkansas has a long and proud history of service to our country, including generations who have worn our nation’s uniform, steadfast community support for our Armed Forces and significant contributions to U.S. national security. I’m proud to continue that commitment at the federal level and champion investment to expand our state’s role in protecting America, our allies and interests well into the future.
The Arkansas congressional delegation, along with state and local leaders, helped secure a mission that will make Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith the premier pilot training center in the United States. Congress recently approved funds to enhance the base infrastructure to support the new mission and deliver on-time training for our partners.
Just as important, we’re investing in our defense industrial base to increase production of all munitions so we can meet today’s demands while developing a stockpile to deter or win conflicts in the years to come. Camden, located in south Arkansas, is stepping up to help achieve this goal.
Bunkers created nearly 80 years ago for military testing and munitions storage serve as an ideal location for modern defense manufacturing that is replenishing our country’s arsenal. The area has established itself as a top defense production site and garnered the attention of state leaders as well as officials at the Pentagon.
Its importance to our defense industrial base brought General C.Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Camden in March to advocate for congressional support of efforts to supply our allies with critical munitions, ensure adequate capacity and refill our own stockpiles.
I was proud to welcome him to Arkansas and showcase the unique capabilities available in the community that make it worth even further investment. Gen. Brown benefited from a firsthand look at operations at Lockheed Martin, which is producing the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. These critical munitions are needed by our partners including the Ukrainians who are using these weapons systems to defend their country.