McSally, Thornberry tour military installations in southern Arizona

U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, recently accepted an invitation from U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) to tour military installations in Arizona.

During a two-day visit, Thornberry and McSally toured Fort Huachuca and Davis-Monthan (DM) Air Force Base in southern Arizona and met with local leaders to learn about the installations’ impact on nearby communities.

“I appreciate Martha’s invitation to come and see first-hand the military capability in southern Arizona,” Thornberry said. “She has been a leader in Congress highlighting the importance of assets like the A-10 and the EC-130H as well as the many unique, critical missions housed at Fort Huachuca. I was very impressed with the great work being done by the military men and women stationed here and with the local communities that come together to support these bases.”

McSally and Thornberry were briefed on unmanned and manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) training, testing capabilities of Electronic Proving Ground, Signal Command and the importance of Libby Army Airfield at Fort Huachuca.

“I can talk about how important our defense assets are, but until you come out here and see the capabilities at Fort Huachuca, tour the Raytheon facilities, climb into a cockpit at DM, and talk with the men and women carrying out these missions, you don’t get the full effect,” McSally said. “That’s why this visit is so important. I extend my sincere thanks to Chairman Thornberry for taking the time to visit southern Arizona and see first-hand the military treasures we have here.”

McSally and Thornberry were briefed about the 612th Air Operations Center, the 214th Reconnaissance Group and the Aerospace Ground Equipment Maintenance Facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.