Amid concerns over national security and military preparedness, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took a firm stand during a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Kelly, a Navy combat veteran himself, challenged Army leaders over the proposed staffing cuts at Fort Huachuca's Electronic Proving Ground (EPG) in Arizona. The EPG is recognized as the Army's primary site for electronic warfare testing, and Kelly underscored the importance of maintaining the facility's capabilities.
During his address, the senator stressed the unique advantages of the EPG, highlighting its geography that permits electronic warfare developmental testing without interference, "It sits in a bowl surrounded by some mountains," he said, and benefits from "an ideal climate," with "over 320 flying days per year in federally protected airspace, which further minimizes interference." Kelly's remarks highlighted the potential long-term consequences these cuts could have, not only on testing and evaluation, but also on overall readiness, according to a statement from his office.
In the same hearing, Secretary of the Army, Daniel Driscoll confirmed that the Army transformation initiative is in line with the Secretary of Defense’s directive, focusing on investments and improvements in electronic warfare capabilities among others. Senator Kelly noted the evident importance of such capabilities, especially reflecting on the recent conflict in Ukraine, and questioned the logic behind reducing the Army's capacity to adequately test and evaluate them. "This is an important developmental test. The existing ATEC proving grounds simply cannot provide the same environments outside of Fort Huachuca," said Senator Mark Kelly.
General Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, acknowledged the Senator's concerns, indicating that alternative testing grounds, such as Yuma Proving Ground and White Sands, also play a role in the Army's evaluation processes, although acknowledging the distinct capabilities of Fort Huachuca. Senator Mark Kelly urged the general and the secretary to reevaluate the Reduction in Force plan, emphasizing, "If you want to simulate a surface to air missile system, the electronic signature from it, in Yuma Proving Ground, you’re talking about maybe 0.1 watt of power output before you can start to interfere with the communication systems, airplane, TV stations in and around the Phoenix area. When you do that at the Electronic Proving Ground, you can go in order of magnitude or more, higher in power output. There's no place like it anywhere," as he explained on the unique testing environment the EPG offers.
Secretary Driscoll agreed to follow up on the matter, acknowledging the vital work carried out at the EPG, "Senator, I visited there, and I can echo that the work they’re doing is incredible. But we’ll follow up with your office," he said as per Senator Mark Kelly website.
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