Hayworth Announces Defense Appropriations Headed to Arizona

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) announced on September 27, 2006 that millions of dollars in defense appropriations are slated for Arizona companies that are working to fight the War on Terror. The House overwhelmingly passed the 2007 Defense Appropriations bill. "Our soldiers out in the field need to know that they are being given all the necessary tools to fight and win the War on Terror," says Rep. Hayworth. "We are committed to giving them what they need to get the job done. This bill does that by providing improved armor, ammunition and technology, a pay increase, and much more." Dillon Arrow of Scottsdale will receive $3.3 million for a M134D-T mini gun system for aircraft in the SOAR inventory. Armor Holdings will receive $1.2 million for the installation of the Cockpit Air Bag System on UH-60 Black Hawk and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters. Some $1.7 million will be added to the Army's Flexible Display Initiative. The Army instituted a public-private partnership with Arizona State University and private sector companies to continue to develop and manufacture cutting edge technology. The partnership is working on portable, paper thin, low-power display monitors used by soldiers for communications purposes in combat situations. Robertson Aviation of Tempe will receive $9.3 million to modify UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The Department of Defense Appropriations Act contains $2.7 billion less in earmarks than last year's conference report. Provisions in the legislation include: *$1.9 billion to develop improvised explosive device countermeasures; Full funding for the 2.2 percent military pay raise, effective Jan. 1, 2007 *$557 million for the Army Reserve and Army National Guard military personnel and operation and maintenance accounts. Overall Budgetary Highlights: Military Personnel - $86.4 billion Operations and Maintenance - $119.8 billion Procurement - $80.9 billion Research, Development, Test and Evaluation - $75.7 billion Revolving and Management Funds - $2.5 billion Emergency Wartime Appropriations - $70.0 billion