House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) released the following statement upon securing authorization for the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) facility at Edwards Air Force Base in the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA):
“Technological advances have given our military and their civilian counterparts unprecedented new ways to support our warfighters. Resources like the Joint Simulation Environment facility ensure our Air Force remains on the cutting edge, allowing our test pilots and engineering professionals to safely evaluate the aircraft that keep our nation safe while also being good stewards of hard-earned taxpayer money.
“Supporting JSE is a win-win investment for our defense community, and I am thrilled that this important bill authorizes the Air Force to develop the tools it needs to efficiently test the equipment essential to keep our great country safe. I am routinely impressed by the work accomplished at Edwards Air Force Base, and I would like to thank General Schaefer for his leadership and vision. I would also like to thank General Harris for the important work that he has accomplished at the Air Force Test Center, and for his service to our country.”
Here’s a little background on the new testing facility
• The House passed the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 by a vote of 359 to 54.
• Rep. McCarthy worked to ensure authorization for the Air Force Test Center’s top military construction priorities, including the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) facility at Edwards Air Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, as well as the Cyberspace Test Facility at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
• The JSE at Edwards Air Force Base is intended to serve as a versatile testing facility for simulated missions in a secure, indoor environment. Such an environment ensures that taxpayer dollars are well spent instead of building expensive facilities for single use type programs.
• Section 2308 authorizes $43 million for the Air Force to construct the JSE at Edwards Air Force Base, which is designed to be a 6,702 square meter facility. The programs that would benefit from the JSE include upgrades to the F-35, F-22, F-15C/E, and B-2.
