El Prospero: NM military bases, national labs make an impact

New Mexico has a long history of military service and maintaining our national security. Our state is home to several major military installations – White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, Fort Bliss, Cannon Air Force Base and Kirtland Air Force Base – and two national laboratories as well as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant that employ thousands of people. In southern New Mexico, the arrival of a second squadron of F-16s will result in more fighter aircraft and a net increase of more than 300 service members at Holloman to complement the Air Force’s premier formal training mission for remotely piloted aircraft.

As a new member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will be a strong advocate for our personnel and their missions, and work to ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to keep our nation safe.

While we recognize our military installations and national laboratories’ role in keeping our country safe, they also contribute tremendously to the local economy. In southern New Mexico, White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base collectively employ more than 16,000 people and make an annual economic impact of more than $1.3 billion.

All together, New Mexico’s military bases and national labs employ roughly 50,000 personnel and make a $13 billion economic impact.

Additionally, our state’s military installations play a critical role in training our service members with invaluable skill sets, such as computer programing, telecommunications and engineering. This training along with the discipline and other soft skills developed in the military make our veterans strong candidates for career opportunities in private industries. As we move forward this year, I’ll use my position on the Senate Armed Services Committee to further strengthen these local partnerships and employment opportunities.

New Mexico is also at the center of the public and private development of space technology. Whether it’s Spaceport America, White Sands Missile Range or the NASA White Sands Test Facility, southern New Mexico helps provide testing, operational assets and expertise to deliver the technologies our country relies on for our national defense and the most adventurous commercial endeavors. I’ll continue to support making investments in national space programs and advance New Mexico’s leadership role in space.

At the end of last year, I was proud to pass legislation I introduced to bolster the partnership between New Mexico’s military installations and the private sector, specifically as it relates to the film industry. The Hollywood blockbuster “Transformers,” which was filmed at Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range, is a perfect example of the partnership that is possible between New Mexico’s growing film industry and our military bases.

The Military Equitable Reimbursement Act, which was signed into law in December 2014, will allow our military installations to retain payments for costs incurred during support of non-governmental film productions. This law serves the best interests of our armed forces, our film industry and the communities that benefit from the jobs associated with motion picture production.

Lastly, I recognize that listening to the needs and voices of all constituent groups is key to building a better New Mexico. That is why I encourage you to share your comments, suggestions and questions. Contact my Las Cruces office any time at 523-6561 or visit my website www.heinrich.senate.gov if I can be of assistance.

I wish you and your family a happy and healthy year ahead. It is an honor and privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate.