Martha Roby: White House honors army aviation, Fort Rucker
Every year since 1981, the White House Historical Association has designed the official White House Christmas ornament. It is always interesting to learn about the history of each year’s design, and this year’s ornament is particularly special for Alabamians – and especially for those of us who live in the Second District. This year’s White House Christmas ornament features a helicopter to honor President Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, who was the first U.S. president to fly in a helicopter while in office. According to the White House Historical Association, the 2019 ornament is meant to symbolize Eisenhower’s commitment to innovation. After Eisenhower first traveled by helicopter in July of 1957, the helicopter became a feature of White House life. Through the years, the helicopter has often been used for short distance commutes. As the first president to regularly use a helicopter, Eisenhower had two Executive Flight Detachments for his transport, which were provided by flight crews of the Army and the Marine Corps. Since 1957, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company that also has an extensive operation in Pike County, has built the presidential helicopter. The 2019 White House ornament honors that special legacy, but it also pays tribute to Army Aviation and Fort Rucker, as Fort Rucker is the location site of the original Army One used by Eisenhower. The White House Historical Society recently held an event at Fort Rucker to celebrate this historic honor, and I was glad to participate alongside Governor Kay Ivey and other leaders. As Alabamians, we know how special and critically important Fort Rucker and Army Aviation are – not only to the Wiregrass and our state – but to the safety and defense of our nation. It is wonderful and appropriate that the White House has chosen to honor Army Aviation and Fort Rucker in this way. I know my family will certainly display the ornament proudly and treasure it for years to come. Throughout my time in Congress, I have considered it a privilege and responsibility to represent a district that is home to Fort Rucker, home of the United States Center of Aviation Excellence. I will continue to use the platform I have been given to ensure that Fort Rucker remains a strong component in our national defense infrastructure. We all should be incredibly proud that President Eisenhower first began using Army helicopters as a mode of presidential transportation. This historic honor by the White House is a true testament to the legacy and continued success of Army Aviation in our country. You can read more about the White House Historical Association and year’s ornament by visiting www.shop.whitehousehistory.org/holidays/ornaments. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Martha Roby visits Fort Rucker for Warrant Officer Day
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Martha Roby visited Fort Rucker in Alabama’s Second Congressional District to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Army Warrant Officer Corp. “It was great to be at Fort Rucker to commemorate this day in our nation’s history and honor those who have served or are currently serving,” Roby said on Facebook. As co-chair of the Army Aviation Caucus, Roby, along with the support of the entire Alabama House delegation as cosponsors, introduced legislation in June to designate July 9 as Warrant Officer Day. H. Res. 947 celebrates a century of warrant officer service and “honors and recognizes the contributions of all warrant officers of the Army, past, present, and future.” Roby present the Congressional Record entry she authored while visiting the fort. “Throughout their 100-year history, Army Warrant Officers have proudly represented the expertise and professionalism that led to their founding on July 9, 1918,” Roby said. “The resolution I offered in the House to designate July 9 as National Warrant Officer Day is just a small token of appreciation for the service and sacrifices of our brave men and women who have served or are currently serving as Army Warrant Officers.” The Army Warrant Officer Corp was established on July 9, 1918; 2018 marks their 100th year of service to the U.S. Army. Today, Army Warrant Officers serve as technical experts, combat leaders, trainers, or advisers who fall into one of two categories: Aviators or Technicians. Army Warrant Officers serve on active duty, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.
Five things you need to know about Martha Roby
The primary elections are over, but some highly sought spots still remain open due to the primary races resulting in runoffs. One of those races is for the Alabama 2nd Congressional District seat. Incumbent Martha Roby faced off against four opponents in the primary election, one of them, Bobby Bright, won enough votes to pull Roby into a runoff set for July 17. Here’s five things you need to know about Martha Roby before the runoff: 1. She’s one of the most vocal pro-life members in the House. Roby was one of the first to speak out on the House floor to raise awareness of Planned Parenthood’s role in the harvest and sale of aborted babies’ body parts for profit. She has fought to redirect taxpayer funding from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion business, to comprehensive health care alternatives. She is also a co-sponsor of the Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2017, which would ban federal funding for research using fetal tissue from abortion victims. Recently, she spoke in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. She also co-sponsored the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and managed floor debate on the bill. 2. She endorsed, then un-endorsed now-President Donald Trump. In 2016, Roby had endorsed then-candidate Donald Trump for President. When the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape was published, in which Trump is heard saying demeaning things about women, Roby, now famously, retracted her endorsement. She said then that Trump’s behavior “makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president” and suggested he step aside to let another Republican lead the presidential ticket. 3. She’s a big proponent of veterans, and Veteran’s Affairs in particular. When Alabama Today asked Roby what her favorite area of service was, she replied: “Both my biggest responsibility and greatest joy in Congress is being in a position to fight for proper treatment for our nation’s veterans. We owe the men and women who have put their lives on the line in service to this great country the absolute best care available, but far too often we fall short. I remain committed to advocating for commonsense solutions to make the Department of Veterans Affairs work for veterans.” Roby has been instrumental in bringing military jobs to her district, including fighting to keep eight C-130 aircrafts at Montgomery’s Maxwell Air Force Base, and working in Congress to help the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker avoid crippling budget cuts that would have decimated training capabilities. She has also been an advocate for Veterans Affairs and has worked tirelessly to address some of the misconduct at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS). 2. She decided to run for office after hearing a graduation speech. Roby was in her third year at law school, almost ready to embark on her dream career in the music industry when she and her (now) husband Riley attended Roby’s younger brother’s high school graduation ceremony. “The commencement speaker talked about the ‘brain drain,’” Roby said. “He mentioned how important it is to go out into the world and do all the things you dream of doing, but then to return home to serve your community in whatever way you feel called. The challenge had a profound effect on both of us. Shortly thereafter I kicked off my first campaign in my hometown for the Montgomery City Council. 1. She got a puppy this year And she’s adorable. Also her name is Ruth Roby, how cute it that? Beyond being an adorable companion, research has also shown that owning a pet can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase social interaction and physical activity, which sounds like the perfect fit for an on-the-go Congresswoman. Meet Ruth Roby!!! Happy New Year! #puppy A post shared by Martha Roby (@martharoby) on Jan 2, 2018 at 8:45pm PST Ruth had a fun day at #DoggyDayCare #TiredPuppy #RobyOut A post shared by Martha Roby (@martharoby) on Feb 9, 2018 at 1:52pm PST
In U.S. district 2 race, loyalty to Donald Trump takes center stage
U.S. Rep. Martha Roby could pay a political price for her 2016 criticism of Donald Trump after recordings of him making lewd comments were released during his campaign for president. Roby said then that Trump’s behavior “makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president” and suggested he step aside to let another Republican lead the presidential ticket. Two years later, her comments have become an issue as she seeks to win the GOP primary and a fifth term representing Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, a conservative swath where loyalty to Trump has become central issue of the midterm primary. “She turned on Trump,” said Ted Roberts, a 69-year-old retired banker from New Brocton, explaining why he won’t vote for Roby. Roby faces primary challenges from Bobby Bright, who represented the district for two years as a Democrat, state Rep. Barry Moore and Rich Hobson a longtime ally of failed U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore. Roby said she wants to emphasize her record on issues important to the district, including military and veterans issues. Roby said she has a “good working relationship” with the Trump administration. “What I have done is run on my record. I’m proud of my record. I’m proud that we’ve been able to do the things and accomplish the things that I believe the people sent me to Washington to do,” Roby said. Roby on the campaign trail and in election materials, said she works well with the Trump administration, noting her support for Trump-backed policies such as the 2017 tax cut bill. A television ad touts her support for a border wall. All of Roby’s primary opponents are raising Roby’s comments in the election. Bright, the former Democratic congressman for the district who also served as mayor of Montgomery, is running a television ad with video footage of Roby saying Trump should step aside. “People are ready for a change, and we’re giving it to them,” Bright said during a campaign stop at a drug store as he wore a red hat with the slogan to make the district “Bright Again.” Bright dismissed concerns that a former Democrat will be rejected by GOP primary voters. He said his values and voting record are “more Alabama.” Alabama’s 2nd congressional district stretches from Montgomery through rural southeast Alabama. The district is heavily agrarian. A boll weevil monument in the city of Enterprise pays tribute the agricultural pest that prompted the region’s shift from cotton to peanut farming. The district’s strong military presence is often visible in the skies as planes from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery and helicopters from the Army’s aviation program at Fort Rucker buzz overhead. “This is definitely Trump country,” said George McCleary, a retired Air Force colonel. “My wife thinks she’s doing a great job. … I don’t think she’s nearly aggressive enough,” McCleary said of Roby. McCleary said Roby’s Trump comments weren’t a concern to him, but he was more worried about issues such as border security. Both Barry Moore and Hobson said Roby’s comments helped inspire them to jump into the race. Hobson said Roby opened the door to challenges with her “disparaging remarks against Donald Trump.” “The comments were just the icing on the cake to a voting record that wasn’t that great anyway,” Moore said. Willie Furr, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, said he is voting for Roby, saying she has worked to improve health care access for veterans. He added that many women, not just Roby, took offense to Trump’s comments. “I think what matters at the end of the day is her track record, what she’s has delivered on,” Furr said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Women of Influence: U.S. Representative Martha Roby
Arguably, one of the most politically influential women in the state, 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby has been hard at work; serving the state of Alabama, and the members of her district for fifteen years. Roby was born and raised in Montgomery Ala.. After receiving her Bachelors degree in music from New York University in 1998, she returned to the Yellowhammer state to pursue a law degree at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Roby and her (now) husband Riley, were attending her younger brother’s graduation ceremony in Montgomery while she was in her third year at Samford, when the commencement speaker caught her attention. “He challenged the graduates not to contribute to Alabama’s ‘brain drain,’ a long-existing problem in which young, talented Alabamians leave the state to follow their ambitions elsewhere. ‘Invest in Alabama,’ he said. ‘Chase your dreams, but whenever possible, contribute to building up your home and making it a better place,’” Roby told Lean IN. “How many bright, talented individuals had we seen leave the state to pursue careers in so-called greener pastures? Montgomery and the State of Alabama had hard-to-fix problems. Would it make the difference if Riley and I, who care deeply about our home, put down roots?” Roby continued. “Ambition to follow one’s dreams is admirable, I thought, but so is realizing a responsibility to stay and help lift up a community. If we didn’t, who would?” After finishing law school, Roby’s mind raced with possibilities on how she could serve those in her community; and her opportunity came just a few short years later when a local city council member announced her retirement. She entered the race, and won the Montgomery City Council District 7 seat in 2003. A position she maintained until 2010, when she announced her run for U.S. Congressional District 2. Winning the race in 2010, Roby has since served her constituents in the 2nd District with an enthusiasm that’s hard to match. Roby is a former member of several congressional committees including the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies and currently serves as a member of the Judiciary committee, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations, Subcommittee on Defense, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and is the first representative from the 2nd Congressional District to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. She also serves on many non-legislative committees including the Caucus for Womens Issues, Congressional Army Aviation Caucus, Congressional Pro-life Caucus and the Congressional Air Force Caucus. Roby has been instrumental in bringing jobs, and investments to her district, including fighting to keep eight C-130 aircrafts at Montgomery’s Maxwell Air Force Base, and working in Congress to help the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker avoid crippling budget cuts that would have decimated training capabilities. She has also been a proponent of Veterans Affairs and has worked tirelessly to address some of the misconduct at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS). Roby is a women who has dedicated her life in-service to the state of Alabama. She works endlessly for those in her District and across the nation, and was kind enough to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions about her life, work and influences. How have other women influenced your success? I am blessed to have been surrounded by strong, driven women – my mom, my grandmothers, and others. Growing up, my dad always told me, “You can be anything you want to be.” I believed him, and I was fortunate to see this truth lived out by women in my life. What shaped your desire to work in politics? My husband Riley and I were sitting in the audience at my brother’s high school graduation, and the commencement speaker talked about the “brain drain.” He mentioned how important it is to go out into the world and do all the things you dream of doing, but then to return home to serve your community in whatever way you feel called. The challenge had a profound effect on both of us. Shortly thereafter I kicked off my first campaign in my hometown for the Montgomery City Council. Later, when my husband and I were debating and praying about whether or not to run for Congress, we sought the advice of countless people, many of whom had done this job before or were currently serving. I had a four-year old and a twelve-week old, and when asked, most people told me I shouldn’t run for Congress – that I wouldn’t be able to do it. Before officially announcing my bid for Congress, I visited Washington, D.C., and had the opportunity to sit down with my now great friend and colleague, Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). I told her my dilemma, and I told her that most people had encouraged me not to run due to the stresses associated with being young mom. I knew Cathy had recently had her first child, and she now has three beautiful children. She looked at me and said, “You can do this.” I took her advice. To this day, she inspires me, and I am grateful to call her a friend. What has been your favorite area of service, and what is your favorite thing about that position? I truly love this job, and because of that, I have several favorite areas of service. Perhaps both my biggest responsibility and greatest joy in Congress is being in a position to fight for proper treatment for our nation’s veterans. We owe the men and women who have put their lives on the line in service to this great country the absolute best care available, but far too often we fall short. I remain committed to advocating for commonsense solutions to make the Department of Veterans Affairs work for veterans. Have you read any books that have shaped your perspective on life? I am an avid reader. While I have
Martha Roby: Always fighting for Fort Rucker and Maxwell AFB
The recent district work period provided me valuable time on the road in Alabama’s Second District to have in-person meetings with many of the people I represent in Congress. I firmly believe that hearing directly from you and having face-to-face conversations about the issues that impact our community daily enables me to be a better representative for your priorities in Washington. As you know, our district has a very large military footprint and is home to two of the finest military installations in the country – Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base. It is critically important that I stay up-to-date with the needs and priorities of our military bases, so during the last district work period I met with leadership at both installations. I recently spoke on the House floor to share an update about my visits. At Fort Rucker, I was thoroughly briefed by General William Gayler, and I truly appreciate him for taking the time to talk with me. At Maxwell, I was given the opportunity to speak to the Squadron Officer School, and then I had a productive meeting with Lt. General Anthony Cotton, Commander of Air University. This vital operation serves as our Air Force’s center for professional military education. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, properly funding our military is one of my top priorities. As I told General Gayler and Lt. General Cotton, I remain committed to ensuring that our district’s large military footprint continues to have the resources necessary to carry out their important missions. Earlier this month, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base celebrated 100 years of operation – what a remarkable milestone. Their weekend-long celebration included a military tribute at a Montgomery Biscuits baseball game and a 5k race. Additionally, students from local schools participated in an art and essay contest themed “100 Years of Leadership in Airpower.” I’m confident that I speak for the entire Second District by saying that we appreciate all that these men and women do for our country and our community. I know our region looks forward to many more years of continued partnership with Maxwell. The outstanding individuals who work there truly invest so much in our state. I will always work to ensure that Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base remain strong components in our national defense infrastructure. Over the last year, I have greatly appreciated finally working alongside an Administration that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to rebuilding our military after years of damaging cuts. I am proud to serve as the representative for these two fine military installations, and I will continue to fight to provide the brave men and women of our military with the best possible resources to ensure they are well prepared for whatever challenges they may face as they work to keep us safe. It is truly a great honor and privilege to be an advocate for Fort Rucker and Maxwell-Gunter Air Force base in Congress. I will never stop fighting on behalf of our service members and their families. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Martha Roby: Highlighting outstanding 2nd District STEM programs
Studies increasingly show that the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are the drivers of our global economy and that these disciplines are the primary source of all innovation. Reports also show that many firms desperately need STEM-skilled employees but are struggling to find qualified individuals. It has become clear that we’re simply not producing enough individuals trained in STEM fields to fulfill current demand, and that’s a big problem if we want our country to remain globally competitive. I’m proud to report that our district’s own military installations, Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, are taking their own measures to expose elementary school students to the STEM fields and encourage students to pursue educations in these disciplines. This past Monday I had the opportunity to visit Starbase, Maxwell Air Force Base’s five-week STEM education program, that is available to 5th graders in the River Region. Students from Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore Counties visit Maxwell Air Force Base for classes once per week for five weeks for classroom instruction and hands-on learning experiences leading up to a final robotics project. The Starbase experience is offered to all 5th graders, regardless of learning abilities, physical challenges, and disciplinary concerns. Starbase will serve approximately 2,000 students this year alone, but due to funding limitations, schools must rotate participation from year to year, meaning that each school participates in the program approximately every other year. I’m excited to report that Congress has restored $25 million to the national Starbase program in the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which went to President Trump’s desk this week. I also recently had the opportunity to meet with COL Craig Taylor, Commander of the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) at Fort Rucker, and he filled me in on their program called Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS). GEMS is an extracurricular STEM education program that enables 4th-11th grade students from the Wiregrass region of our state to engage in grade-appropriate, hands-on experiments. These students learn valuable math and science concepts, gain exposure to laboratory settings, and interact with military and civilian technicians, scientists, and engineers. USAARL’s GEMS program aims to reach those students who are underserved or underrepresented in STEM fields. GEMS is provided at no cost to students and since 2011 has been offered to more than 950 students from Fort Rucker, Enterprise, Ozark, Daleville, Dothan, and other communities. The Wiregrass is fortunate to have GEMS available to students in the area, and I’m excited to see its continued development of STEM students for our state. It is critically important that we train up future generations of STEM professionals in order to maintain our competitive edge in innovation. Our district’s military installations are answering that call in a big way, and we are fortunate to have the Starbase and GEMS programs available to our students. I’m proud of the work being done for STEM education at Maxwell and Fort Rucker, and I am eager to see it continue and flourish. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Kay Ivey: In Alabama, we have our veterans’ backs
Dedication. Honor. Commitment. Sacrifice. Those are the traits that come to mind when I think about our nation’s veterans. I saw these qualities lived out every day by my dad. Boadman Nettles Ivey, my father, served in WWII as part of a field artillery division. From him I learned to love my country, to offer myself to serve my fellow citizen and to stand up for what is right, even when doing so might be difficult. Though I have a profound and deep respect for my dad, he isn’t the only person to possess these qualities; they are shared by most everyone who has ever served in the United States Armed Forces. From the moment a man or woman puts on the uniform and pledges to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic,” he or she enters into an elite class of citizen-soldiers. Veterans, distinguished by their character, duty and service, make great contributions to our society not only on the battlefield, but in our communities. Though one may leave the active service, a veteran never truly stops serving. Once their military careers end, many veterans choose Alabama as their home. In fact, one in 10 Alabamians are veterans. Our state has benefited greatly from those who have been stationed at Fort Benning, Fort Rucker, Maxwell Air Force Base, and Redstone Arsenal, among others. Alabama is enriched because these highly-skilled veterans have chosen to continue their public service by pursuing career opportunities, in many cases, in local and state government. I am proud to have men and women who have worn the military uniform as part of my staff and cabinet, including Jeff Dunn and Brian Hastings, among others. Before becoming Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections, Colonel Jeff Dunn had a distinguished career in the Air Force. Likewise, Colonel Brian Hastings, who serves as Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, held significant Air Force commands. Throughout my career in public service, I have placed importance on supporting the work of the military in Alabama. From helping lead the Alabama Military Stability Commission, to having recently signed into law new legislation allowing veterans to more easily further their educations, supporting those who protect our nation has been at the forefront of my agenda. This month, I announced that veterans will no longer be required to pay entrance fees at any of our state parks. As long as I am governor, it will be the policy of our state to honor those who have protected our freedoms. Alabama has always been and continues to be a veteran-friendly state, but at the same time, veterans have been very good to Alabama. The leadership military men and women provide, and their tireless commitment to public service, have made Alabama a better place to live, own a home, raise a family and to achieve our dreams. Alabama is indeed indebted to countless men and women like Colonels Dunn and Hastings, who never stop serving others. As governor, it comforts me knowing that within my cabinet and staff are individuals who have operated at many levels of the military and who are extremely capable of helping me lead our state. Those who have served in the Armed Forces understand the phrase: “I’ve got your six,” meaning someone is watching your back and is standing ready to protect you at all costs. I am thankful that thousands upon thousands of Alabamians have stood strong, promising to protect and serve while on active duty and afterward. Now, as we celebrate Veterans Day, it is only fitting that we make it loud and clear to those same veterans – “Alabama’s got your six.” This Veterans Day, and every day, when you see a veteran thank him or her for their service. Share a smile, a hearty handshake or a warm hug. Remind them that you will never forget their service and, despite the changes our nation faces, in Alabama, we are still proud to stand for our flag, for our freedom, and in honor of those who sacrificed so much, so that freedom can, and still does, truly ring. ••• Kay Ivey is the 54th, and current, Governor of Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, Ivey served as the 38th Alabama State Treasurer from 2003 to 2011, and later became the 30th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama; she was the first Republican woman elected in this state, serving from January 2011 until April 2017. She assumed office as governor on April 10, 2017
Kay Ivey kicks off Paris Air Show: ‘It’s a new day in Alabama’
Gov. Kay Ivey urged an Alabama economic development team in France for the Paris Air Show to work hard to position the state for more growth in an industry critical to Alabama’s future. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield speaks to Gov. Kay Ivey after the Paris Air Show kick-off breakfast. (Made in Alabama) Ivey spoke to economic developers, elected leaders, university representatives and others at a breakfast meeting that marked the start of an intensive four-day effort to secure new aerospace jobs and investment for Alabama. “It’s a new day in Alabama, and we are open for business,” the governor told the group. She urged them to use their moment on the “world stage” to facilitate the creation of new jobs and investment in Alabama, which is already home to around 400 aerospace and defense firms. At the industry’s premier trade event, Ivey will join Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, in more than 20 scheduled appointments with leaders from top aerospace companies, beginning today. Targeting aerospace growth The team from Mobile holds a planning session for the Paris Air Show after Sunday’s kick-off breakfast. (Made in Alabama) The kickoff meeting for the Alabama delegation at the Paris Air Show drew economic development specialists from areas of the state where the aerospace industry plays an important role — Huntsville, Mobile, the Wiregrass and areas such as Auburn-Opelika. Canfield said the ultimate goal of the Paris Air Show mission is build relationships with key industry contacts and to lay the groundwork for additional job creation and aerospace investment in the state. “We know that when companies come to Alabama, they succeed, and it happens time and time again,” Canfield said. “That means well-paying jobs for Alabama citizens and enhanced vitality for communities across the state.” Last year, aerospace and defense companies announced new investment exceeding $242 million in Alabama projects expected to create more than 1,550 jobs, according to figures from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The growth has continued in 2017, and Alabama economic developers are optimistic that the Paris Air Show mission will set the stage for additional expansion. “Aerospace is huge in the Wiregrass. It’s well over $1 billion in economic impact to our region of the state,” said Jonathan Tullos, executive director of the Wiregrass Economic Development Corp. “Because of Fort Rucker, we already have a pipeline of workers who are trained and skilled. It’s really the cornerstone of what we do.” This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with permission of Alabama NewsCenter.
Martha Roby: Renewed focus on pilot training good for Fort Rucker
The Defense Appropriations Subcommittee held a budget hearing Thursday where I discussed issues impacting Alabama’s 2nd District with our nation’s top two military officials. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified about the President’s budget proposal and answered questions from the Subcommittee about military funding and global strategy. Representing a district that is home to the Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, I took the opportunity to ask about the future of Army Aviation as well as the military’s ability to respond to multiple global threats simultaneously. As I told Secretary Mattis, there aren’t many places the military goes without Army aviators. However, I’m increasingly concerned that our assets and resources are being stretched too thin. Specifically, there is a significant shortage of Apache helicopters, programs like the Light Utility Helicopter look to be underfunded, and we aren’t training enough pilots. Secretary Mattis agreed there is a serious pilot shortage and called it a “national-level problem” that needs to be addressed. “Since near the end of World War II, we have dominated the skies overhead, almost to the point that we could start taking it for granted, which would be a disaster if we did that. It takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice over many years,” Secretary Mattis said. “…we are not creating enough pilots in this environment right now to serve the commercial or service interests. We are going to have to deal with this as a national level problem, and we’ve responded to this sort of thing in the past. We’ve had to dust off a lot of the old thinking and find some new ideas in there. But we are working it right now. We just had the meeting with industry here last month with General Goldfein, our Chief of Staff of the Air Force leading it, but all the Chiefs of Services are engaged.” This is good news for Fort Rucker, the Wiregrass, and the State of Alabama. Because all Army and Air Force rotary wing aviators are trained at Fort Rucker, a renewed focus from the Pentagon on developing more helicopter pilots would potentially benefit the post’s mission. Secretary Mattis also assured me that the new military budget allocates over more than $3 billion for Army Aviation, including the Blackhawks, Apaches, Chinooks, and Lakotas that are part of the training apparatus at Fort Rucker. I appreciate Secretary Mattis’ thoughtful response, and I’m grateful for our nation’s top military official’s commitment to preserving the United States’ air superiority. As the budget process moves forward I am eager to ensure national priorities like Army Aviation are properly funded. I’m honored to serve on Defense Appropriations because it allows me to have a seat at the table for budget and policy discussions like this that will impact the future of the military, including installations in Alabama. I look forward to following up with Secretary Mattis and other military officials about the critical role Fort Rucker plays in our national defense. ••• Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama with her husband Riley and their two children.
Martha Roby meets with military leaders, discusses Alabama installations
Upon returning to Washington, D.C. this week, Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby has been meeting with top military leaders to discuss the future of Alabama’s military installations. On Wednesday, Roby met with General David Goldfein, United States Air Force Chief of Staff, to discuss priorities going into the new year, including those related to Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery. Roby said items on her list to discuss were continuing Maxwell’s unique role in military education, the potential for the Alabama-based 187th Fighter Wing to land the F-35 program, and the the upkeep of on-base military housing, which has concerned community leaders recently. “Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base is such a vital part of not just the River Region but the entire State of Alabama, and I appreciated the opportunity to discuss Maxwell’s future as the intellectual center of the Air Force,” Roby said of her meeting. “When it comes to the military’s impact on Alabama, there is no shortage of topics. With an incoming presidential administration, there is obviously a lot changing. Part of my job is building relationships with our military leaders so that we can communicate clearly about decisions that will have an effect on Maxwell and other installations around the state.” On Tuesday, Roby met with Army Maj. Gen. Eric Peterson, who oversees Army Aviation at the Pentagon. Fort Rucker in the Wiregrass is home to the Army Aviation Center of Excellence, making this meeting particularly relevant to the 2nd District Congressman. Watch Roby discuss her meeting with General Goldfein below:
CAE USA to open key Army aviation training center in Alabama
A Tampa-based aviation training company plans to begin offering flight training to U.S. Army aviators at a training facility opening in Dothan. CAE USA plans to open the facility in 2017 as part of the company’s $75 million investment in the state, a little more than 20 miles from Fort Rucker and the U.S. Army’s Aviation Center of Excellence, the headquarters of Army Aviation and primary location for Army helicopter flight training for more than five decades. “Alabama has more 100 years in aerospace history, and I am proud to see CAE make progress on the construction of the new Dothan Training Center located at the Dothan Regional Airport,” Governor Robert Bentley said Thursday morning. “This world-class training facility will train Army and Air Force pilots to keep our nation safe.” With the project progressing, the company has taken delivery of the first aircraft that will be used in the U.S. Army Fixed-Wing Flight Training program at the Alabama center. CAE has also begun preparing its initial cadre of instructor pilots for the program. “Our new Dothan Training Center will provide the Army with a modern, flexible and cost-effective training solution specifically designed for the Army’s fixed-wing aviators,” said Ray Duquette, president and general manager of CAE USA. “The state of Alabama, Department of Commerce and all the local government organizations in the Wiregrass area have been incredibly supportive and instrumental in the creation of what will be a truly world-class training facility,” he added. Beginning next spring, the company’s new 79,000-square-foot center will provide comprehensive training for more than 450 U.S. Army fixed-wing aviators each year, as well as Air Force crews flying C-12 twin turboprop aircraft. “We are extremely excited to see a world-wide leader in aviation training locate in the Wiregrass region,” Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz said. “Through the team led by Governor Robert Bentley including our local, state, and federal officials and partners, this project was made possible to bring new technology, innovation, and high-paying jobs to the area.”
