Proposed military funding cuts would affect Tucson, state

The Trump administration’s move to shift $3.8 billion from military accounts to fund border security measures could result in cuts to a test unit at the Air National Guard 162nd Wing at Tucson International Airport, while cuts to F-35 fighter orders would affect Arizona bases, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says.

Included in the administration’s “reprogramming action” is a $1.3 billion cut to the National Guard and Reserve Equipment budget, which funds the Air Guard and Reserve Test Center hosted by the 162nd Wing.

The test center, which employs 94 airmen and civilian personnel according to Sinema’s office, conducts operational flight testing of modifications to F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft.

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The administration’s plan also would cut planned procurement of two F-35B short takeoff and landing versions used by the Marine Corps, and cut $156 million for advanced procurement for the Air Force’s F-35A version.

Those cuts could affect Luke Air Force Base, a major F-35 training site near Phoenix, as well as the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Sinema said.

The senator said in a prepared statement that the Trump administration’s controversial emergency declaration on border security “continues to undermine critical military assets” and the proposed cuts “unnecessarily risk resources for Arizona service members and national security.”