It is well-known in Tucson that small, but loud neighborhood groups control what opportunities the rest of the community does and does not have and such is the case with the economic driver otherwise known as Davis Monthan Air Force base. With the veto of the NDAA, Davis Monthan is at risk, and Tucson’s Republican candidates are pointing the finger rightly at the current City Council.
According to sources, if President Obama does not sign the NDAA “31 Dec 15, DM will be devastated. The USAF will be able to close two A-10 units and 1 EC-130H squadron. About 35% of DM’s jobs will walk out the door in the course of a year (Dec 16).”
“The Hill is reporting they hope to finish up the budget next week, then move to the NDAA and get on the President’s desk before Thanksgiving. If the President stalls or politics weigh in, we could be in trouble due to all the recesses (Thanksgiving, Christmas etc),” say sources.
Republicans said in a statement issued on Wednesday that the “current City Council has failed Tucson in their support of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base by allowing neighborhood associations to dictate policy regarding the DM mission.” Republicans claim that if the current Council members are re-elected it could cost Tucson $1.1 Billion in annual economic benefit and will destroy Tucson’s frail economy if re-elected for another 4 year term.
Many critics of the Council note that they stood by, or in some cases openly opposed the F-35 as the USAF sought sites to win the mission.
“With first-hand experience as a fighter pilot in the Air Force I have a different perspective of the value of a military installation in the community. The lack of support the current city council members have shown for the Davis-Monthan Air Force base over the years is unacceptable and for them to say that they are truly concerned for its future in Tucson is a lie,” said Bill Hunt, in Wednesday’s release. Hunt is running against Regina Romero, whose husband Ruben Reyes, as an aide to Congressman Raul Grijalva worked against the F-35.
“As the lifeblood of Tucson’s economy, Davis-Monthan absolutely must remain open and growing. From my 25 years in the Air Force and working in the intelligence community, I know that the synergy of the long runways and facilities of Davis-Monthan, the isolated expanse of the Barry M. Goldwater Range cannot be duplicated anywhere in the Department of Defense. Strong support for Davis Monthan by the Tucson City Council is fundamentally crucial for its survival,” stated Mark E. Morrison, Lt. Col USAF (ret), in the Republican’s press release.
“Proactive leadership is essential to assure the continuation of the Davis-Monthan legacy in Tucson. Reactive responses to the threat of closure is just plain bullsh*t. New, experienced, leadership to guarantee the continuation of Davis-Monthan is needed today,” said Kelly Lawton, City Council Candidate for Ward 2 on Wednesday.