SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 35

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph J. Carraro

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE OF THE 150TH FIGHTER WING AND URGING THE FULL SUPPORT OF OUR STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN FACILITATING THE SELECTION OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCES NEWEST TACTICAL FIGHTER, THE F-35, FOR PERMANENT FUTURE DEPLOYMENT TO KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE.

     WHEREAS, United States military forces have used the 150th fighter wing, the famed "Flying Tacos", for air interdiction in direct support of the United States air force's air combat command, the 12th air force; and

     WHEREAS, the Flying Tacos' current mission aircraft, the F-16, maintains a worldwide deployment capability for the United States air force; and

     WHEREAS, the Kirtland air force community, or "Team Kirtland", has been an integral part of New Mexico's proud military history for more than sixty years; and

     WHEREAS, the United States air force announced a new "road map" for all current and future assets on January 16, 2008; and

     WHEREAS, this new road map could mean additional aircraft for New Mexico's three major air bases of which Kirtland air force base is one; and

     WHEREAS, United States air force chief of staff General T. Michael Moseley has stated that this road map is a long-term plan to modernize the air force, and it outlines what the next generation's weapons systems will be and where they might be based in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the United States air force will have fewer aircraft in the future and those remaining limited assets will have to be more efficient and flexible than present systems; and

     WHEREAS, Kirtland air force base in 1995 and Cannon air force base in 2005 were both saved from closure or major realignment by the sustained effort of New Mexico's federal, state and local elected officials; and

     WHEREAS, the United States air force has indicated that Kirtland air force base is on a short list of thirty-three bases nationwide that are being studied for basing of this nation's newest tactical fighter, the F-35; and

     WHEREAS, the United States air force has stated that only those worthy installations that meet preliminary standards for these new aircraft missions will be allowed to undergo final rigorous environmental evaluation and operational analysis; and

     WHEREAS, these required and complex studies, which will take several years, will determine the final basing mode of the F-35; and

     WHEREAS, due to Kirtland air force base's long and sustained record in the defense systems evaluations of both domestic and foreign systems testing, and due to such factors as low installation operational costs, recent infrastructure investment, "Team Kirtland's" overlapping and proximate relationship with its associated units and its incalculable replacement cost to the United States, the United States department of defense decided to retain Kirtland air force base as a vital national asset; and

     WHEREAS, the United States department of defense has announced plans to retire "Team Kirtland's Flying Tacos" in the near future due to their age and changing mission requirements; and

     WHEREAS, the United States air force has announced plans to field the F-35 tactical fighter jet and place it in service in 2013; and

     WHEREAS, unless Kirtland air force base retains an active future aircraft mission, New Mexico's historic contribution to national air power and its economic vitality may be put at risk;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it support an active and sustained mission to assist all public and private efforts to bring the F-35 tactical fighter to Kirtland air force base; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the United States departments of defense and air force, the commanding officer of Kirtland air force base, the commanding officers of the New Mexico air national guard and the 150th fighter wing, the governor, the New Mexico adjutant general and the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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