Senators Ossoff, Warnock push for new missions during visit to Robins Air Force Base
Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) hosted Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Jack Reed at Robins Air Force Base Wednesday.
The senators toured the base with Reed as part of their ongoing effort to push the Air Force to implement four new missions as the base’s longtime JSTARS platform is phased out.
The senators joined Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick for a press conference at city hall following the visit.
“We’re here to illustrate the federal government’s steadfast commitment to Robins Air Force Base,” Warnock said. “Since last January I’ve visited seven of Georgia’s eight military bases, and it’s clear that Robins is a crown jewel of Middle Georgia and of our entire state … I’ve long been committed to securing the future of Robins and that’s why it was important for me to come back to Robins and for us to bring Chairman Reed to show him firsthand why this base is so very critical to the United States Air Force, and why Robins must continue to play a critical role in our national security.
“I’ve pushed [Air Force] Secretary Kendall to confirm details regarding the arrival of four new missions that have been committed to the base, which will ensure the future of Robins after the retirement of the JSTARS aircraft platform. I’m glad that Air Force Secretary Kendall has committed that Georgia will maintain a strategic role in our national security.”
Reed, the senior U.S. senator from Rhode Island, attended airborne, ranger and infantry school at Fort Benning.
“I was particularly impressed at Robins today,” Reed said. “Because the future of conflict … is going to be decided in the electronic domain. It’s going to be decided by how well we can communicate, how well we can coordinate with all the units of our military forces, and Robins is positioned in the leadership of that effort for the United States Air Force and for the whole Department of Defense.
“In addition to protecting the nation, it is a tremendous source of economic growth in this region. Because the future really is with those young men and women who can code, those younger men and women who understand artificial intelligence. And that’s exactly what Robins is doing in terms of attracting people to work here. And with the people, come industry and come investment.”
The senators started their daylong tour at Project Synergy, a research and software development facility that opened near the base last year.
“With Chairman Reeds’ visit today, Sen. Rev. Warnock and I continue to demonstrate that we will work locked arm-in-arm to protect our country from threats and secure military installations in our state which are vital to our national security and vital to our state’s economy,” Ossoff said.
The Air Force originally announced the four new missions slated for Robins Air Force Base in May 2021, and the Wednesday visit was Warnock and Ossoff’s latest step in pushing for their full implementation.
In February, they sent a letter alongside Reps. Austin Scott and Sanford Bishop asking Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to establish and commit to a detailed plan of action.
“We’re here to celebrate the strength of Robins Air Force Base,” Warnock said. “We know that Warner Robins, this entire community with the synergy that happens between the civilian population and our servicemen and women is a sight to behold. And so when you think about the intellectual capital that’s here, what we see happening at Project Synergy, we’re just shining a bright light on what’s here and the critical role that we know that Robins will play going into the future.”
