Recently, 30 members of the Tennessee General Assembly and members of our community came together at the AEDC rifle ranges in Tullahoma, TN.
This group of fourteen Democrats and seventeen Republicans all came together in the utmost bipartisan fashion for the purpose of assisting our area secure an aggressive financial incentive package from the state of Tennessee for CBAT, The United States Air Force’s Common Battlefield Airman Training program. Our area is on the final list of three potential sites for this new program, which will boast over $80 million in new construction projects, 800 new full-time jobs, thousands of new support jobs in the community and will create an estimated $300 million in new economic activity in our region. Through CBAT, the Air Force is seeking to enhance the survivability of its fighting men and women in warfare situations. The unique challenges presented by the global war on terror force all of our military personnel to become front line fighters on a moment’s notice. The current training curriculum for the average Air Force trainee does not include adequate training in land warfare. CBAT is designed to remedy this situation by providing intensive instruction in small arms training, combat first aid, land navigation, small unit tactics and quick, organized reaction to an ambush situation. Arnold Engineering Development Center, with its vast quantity of unencumbered land, in conjunction with the Tennessee Army National Guards world class firing ranges and current training center make us the logical choice. The State of Tennessee’s growing commitment to the project only serves to strengthen our position during the final selection process scheduled for this fall and winter. The Tennessee Legislative delegation was treated to a wonderful afternoon touring our range facilities and firing numerous weapons used by our combat troops today. For many legislators it was their first experience with a firearm. Everyone knew we had a Tennessee Army National Guard facility and an Air Force Base here, but few knew the impressive magnitude of the assets.
The historical spirit of cooperation between the Guard and the Air Force was underscored by greetings given from the AEDC Base Commander and Lt. Colonels from the Tennessee Guard. We are confident this cooperative attitude will only increase should we be successful in securing the Air Force’s additional mission of training its personnel in ground combat skills. The additional infrastructure CBAT will bring includes range improvements, new roads, housing, recreational and fitness facilities that could well be made available to our National Guard troops here in Tennessee. This joint cooperation can literally provide us with twice the impact of our tax dollars invested in the project and gives Southern Middle Tennessee an opportunity of a lifetime. We want to give a well deserved THANK YOU to the Arnold Community Council for spearheading these efforts and for being a sponsor of our event. Congressman Lincoln Davis, Senator Bob Corker and our entire federal delegation have openly pledged their total support for this project, as have elected representatives from many of our neighboring states. The Warren County Rifle Club, local chambers of commerce and dozens of volunteers worked tirelessly to show the delegation unsurpassed hospitality. These kind gestures and the energies expended in educating the delegation about CBAT have literally put this project firmly at the top of the list for our state’s economic development team. The Tennessee Legislature, with members from Memphis to Bristol was here to see first hand what we are hoping to accomplish, and we are confident that we can report their undivided support for our venture.
Lastly, but definitely not least, this is the right thing to do for our state and our country. We can all be proud Tennessee is earnestly answering the call to provide the United States Air Force with the best possible option for this new mission.