U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich lobbied for a new active duty mission at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) during a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing this month. He argued that placing active duty at the range would make the best use of its facilities and lower costs over time.
Heinrich then spoke about the effects of sequestration and the empty facilities that could be used by active duty military at WSMR.
During the hearing…the New Mexico Democrat also expressed his support for housing F-35 fighter planes at Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB).
Heinrich welcomed the arrival of F-16’s as well as new airmen and their families. He said he looks forward to New Mexico’s future and has hopes for HAFB being chosen to house F-35’s.
If Holloman Air Force Base becomes a preferred location by Air Force officials, an active duty beddown of F-35’s could arrive as soon as 2024.