In annual defense bill, Sinema is working to increase counseling services on military stations, raise servicemember pay, and support major infrastructure projects at military facilities across Arizona
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema met with Major General Kerry Muehlenbeck, the Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard, to discuss steps she’s taking to advance Arizona’s top military priorities.
“Meeting with Arizona military commanders informs our work to deliver resources and missions to Arizona – ensuring our state continues being a leader in our national defense,” said Sinema.
Sinema worked to secure multiple Arizona military priorities in the annual bipartisan defense legislation – including raising servicemember pay to support military families, critical infrastructure upgrades to military installations across Arizona, and more.
The annual defense legislation additionally requires a plan requested by Sinema for modernizing Air National Guard fighter force structure in order to provide long-term planning for Air Force airpower and fighter squadrons like the 162nd Wing which flies F-16s in Tucson; provides $15 million for the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Surprise; provides $12 million for Army Reserve Area Maintenance Support Activity facility in Queen Creek; and provides $11.6 million for the Air National Guard to construct emergency defense infrastructure at the Tucson International Airport.
Major General Kerry Muehlenbeck is the Adjutant General of Arizona and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of Arizona’s Army and Air National Guard, Joint Programs, and the Division of Emergency Management. She leads an 8,300- member department, of which 2,400 are full-time federal military and civilian personnel, and 600 are full-time state employees.