REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Alabama's newest senator made his first trip to the state's largest military installation and said there is a lot to learn from the partnerships on Redstone Arsenal.
"This is really a unique federal enclave with NASA, the Army and the Department of Justice, and they all work so well together," Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) said during his visit here Thursday. "This place is progressing because they are all working together, they solve problems together and they are making this thing go forward."
Army Materiel Command Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Ed Daly hosted the senator. He also serves as the installation's senior commander.
"Redstone Arsenal is an Army installation and a Federal Center of Excellence. We have 72 tenant organizations located here, and their impact is significant worldwide," Daly said. "It's a true collaboration that is both internal to the Arsenal and external with the whole community."
Along with AMC, Jones visited with FBI leadership to learn about the bureau's potential growth on Redstone; the Missile Defense Agency about their work in ballistic missile defense systems; and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center for an overview on the Space Launch System and the International Space Station. Each agency commended the synergies that take place on Redstone.
"You put a lot of time and resources to make sure we have meaningful work to do here at Redstone, so we want to be good stewards and take advantage of every partnership available," Kevin McGhaw, Marshall deputy director, office of strategic analysis and communications, said.
A theme throughout the day was the organizations' need for predictable and consistent funding, which Jones echoed.
"The biggest thing for the military and NASA is to try and do a budget process that is long term," Jones said. "It has been the norm to do these CRs (Continuing Resolutions) every 30, 60 days. These guys can't live like that, they can't plan and they can't start projects."
Jones, who took office in January, said the trip was important for him to get a firsthand look at Redstone Arsenal.
"If people could really see what is happening here, particularly with the Missile Defense Agency and with the U.S. Army, they would feel safe and secure about America," he said. "I'd love to get more of my colleagues in the Senate down here to what is happening."
Referring to Redstone Arsenal's estimated $18 billion annual economic impact, Jones said the true importance of the installation is the work done by people who work here.
"I want to keep this country safe and they're doing it. There is so much that happens right here at Redstone Arsenal and in Huntsville that people don't realize," Jones said.
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