Introduction

The diverse network of federal military facilities located in Arizona provides the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) with unequaled access to high-quality, weather friendly, cost-effective training for American Armed Forces. More significantly, this network comprises an integrated array of bases, testing and training facilities, ranges, and airspace that operate within a physical environment that is uniquely suited to their individual and combined mission objectives and to the nation’s evolving defense posture. In short, Arizona provides DoD with unparalleled resources.

Since the late 1970s, the State of Arizona has been fully committed to and has taken significant steps toward ensuring DoD’s long-term partnership in Arizona.  In December 2003, the Governors Military Facilities Task Force put forth twenty-seven recommendations to ensure long-term retention of the State’s military facilities so that they may continue to perform their vital national defense functions and maintain their critical role in the Arizona economy.  On May 17, 2004, the Governor signed HB 2140, a comprehensive military bill that included a number of the recommendations of the Task Force, including the establishment of the Military Affairs Commission (MAC) and the Military Installation Fund (MIF).  In 2014, Governor Brewer issued Executive Order 2014-02 entitled Sustainment of Arizona's Military Installations that reinforces the Military Affairs Commission's mission and commitment to support the military in Arizona.

Purpose

The Military Affairs Commission (MAC) serves a critical mission in the State of Arizona to ensure that the missions of federal military installations located in Arizona are protected and can meet any future need that this country faces.  To accomplish this mission, the MAC monitors and makes recommendations on executive, legislative and federal actions necessary to sustain and grow Arizona’s network of military installations, training and testing ranges and associated airspace. Through the MAC, Arizona is able to keep issues impacting federal military installations in the forefront, balancing private property rights with insuring that state and local policy positions maintain and enhance military missions at the installation. Included within the jurisdiction of the MAC is the Military Installation Fund (MIF), the purpose of which is to ensure that private property rights are addressed as efforts are made to maintain and enhance military missions at the military installations located within Arizona.

The specific responsibilities of the MAC are to advise the Executive and Legislative Branches on pertinent issues relating to the military and installations throughout Arizona, to protect the ongoing strategic missions of federal military installations located within Arizona, and to prioritize property applications as part of the administration of the MIF.  MAC Membership is comprised of 18 appointed Commissioners representing expertise in military affairs, local elected officials, and private property interests; as well as four Advisory members comprised of the Arizona Adjutant General, the Arizona State Land Commissioner, a federal land use agency, and a military installation commander. MAC members can be viewed here.

Economic Impact of Arizona’s Principal Military Operations

In addition to the capabilities Arizona provides to our national defense, Arizona’s military operations are increasingly important to the state’s economy.  They create and support tens of thousands of jobs and generate nearly $11.5 billion in economic impact to our state economy, according to a recent study that details the economic contributions of Arizona’s major military installations.  Arizona has increasingly looked at the economic impact of the military, beginning first with the City of Glendale and other political subdivisions and then subsequent state sponsorship of the studies through the Military Affairs Commission and Arizona Commerce Authority.  The studies have looked at the impact of the facilities themselves, as well as other economic activity that is generated by their presence.

The study included ten military installations in Arizona, the six major Active Duty installations: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Huachuca, Luke Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station - Yuma, Yuma Proving Grounds, and U.S. Naval Observatory - Flagstaff Station, as well as the four National Guard facilities in central and southern Arizona.

Click here to download the Military Economic Impact Study.