Udall and Pawlikowski agree that sequestration and threatened government shutdown would be dangerous for national security and service member morale. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE Aug. 14,U.S. Sen.Tom Udallmet with Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, commander, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center to discuss Kirtland Air Force Bases critical national security mission, cutting-edge technology, and future plans for harnessing the bases research and development capabilities to maintain the United States technological advantage.

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which oversees funding for New Mexicos defense programs, Udall has secured strong funding for missions at Kirtland and the jobs and economic growth the base supports.

Pawlikowski commands AFMCs mission of conducting research, development, test and evaluation, and providing acquisition management services and logistics support to keep Air Force weapon systems ready.

During their meeting, Udall touted the essential national security mission being carried out at Kirtlands Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, as well as the leading technological developments, such as directed energy technology and small satellites, being advanced at Kirtland to provide more tools for the armed forces.

Udall cited the unmatched experience and expertise at Kirtland and the Air Force Research Lab, again making the case for why New Mexico with its premier military bases, and national laboratories, and supporting businesses is an ideal location for a Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) office that can help promote technology transfer and build the private sector economy in New Mexico and the Southwest.

Udall and Pawlikowski also discussed the W80-4 life extension program as well as the damage that a threatened government shutdown and return to sequestration, or automatic spending cuts, could do to morale and recruitment -- especially for service members and lab employees with in-demand technical skills -- and the missions at New Mexico's bases.

Every day at Kirtland, service members and civilians are expertly carrying out an essential national security mission doing the cutting-edge work that helps keep our nation safe and grows New Mexicos economy. General Pawlikowski agrees that steady governance and consistent funding levels are vital to our national security. We can't afford a shutdown, and a return to sequestration would be dangerous for New Mexico's labs and military bases and their surrounding communities,Udall said. As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Im proud to fight for the strong funding Kirtland needs to support these critical investments in our national security and in New Mexico jobs and economic growth. I was glad to talk to General Pawlikowski today about how the first-rate technology being developed in New Mexico directly benefits war fighters and civilians, spurring progress, bolstering national security, and benefiting our economy.

Elizabeth Driggers, executive director of the Kirtland Partnership Committee, who attended the meeting, said, The Kirtland Partnership Committee and its members, who include some of the most innovative tech companies in New Mexico, are thrilled with General Pawlikowskis visit and her commitment to breaking down tech barriers and speeding up software issues, which are critically important to progressing our Air Force at a more commercial speed. We appreciated Senator Udall again demonstrating hes committed to fighting sequestration, which we have seen has had devastating short-term and long-term impacts to our bases.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Udall has for years secured strong funding for Kirtland and New Mexicos other military bases and installations. For example, 2017 funding for programs at Kirtland includes:

Continue reading here:

Udall Touts Kirtland's Critical Mission & Cutting-Edge Technology In Meeting With Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski - Los Alamos Daily Post