Good for Sheppard Air Force Base? Congressman Ronny Jackson touts proposed defense act

Thirteenth Congressional District U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson praised the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 — a bill that might prove positive for Sheppard Air Force Base.

Jackson, an Amarillo Republican, is a member of the committee. In a press release Thursday, he listed some of the benefits to SAFB should the measure pass the full House and the U.S. Senate, and get a presidential signature.

"This year’s NDAA also takes significant strides toward improving the quality of life for our servicemembers by drastically improving compensation and upgrading living quarters," Jackson said in the release.

"This bill will bolster our defense capabilities, modernize the force, and ensure that we are prepared to deter and, if necessary, defeat China in an armed conflict," he said.

Here are positive aspects of the defense authorization bill that Jackson noted:

• Directs the establishment of a Technical Training Center of Excellence as part of Airman Development Command, which Sheppard Air Force Base is well positioned to be selected for

• Mandates a detailed update be provided to Congress on the construction of the child development center at Sheppard Air Force Base and seeks to mitigate the impact of the delay

• Authorizes funding for the continued development of the T-7A Red Hawk

• Requires a review of undergraduate pilot training initiatives and efforts to modernize the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program

• Highlights the Basic Allowance for Housing issues at Sheppard Air Force Base and requires an update from the secretary of defense on the BAH rates for the Wichita Falls area

• Explores opportunities to utilize large-scale 3D printing for structures at Sheppard to provide modern facilities without the delays of the formal military construction process

• Ensures the Air Force continues to use predictive analytics as Air Education and Training Command transitions to Airman Development Command

• Updates TRICARE policies to provide better notification processes for beneficiaries and sponsors

• Empowers military spouses to have better access to required TRICARE information for their children

• Requires the Department of Defense to update housing policies for pregnant servicemembers

• Allows servicemembers to participate in patriotic displays occurring prior to major sporting events like the Super Bowl or World Cup.

The measure now goes to the ful House and then to the Senate Armed Services Committee for consideration, most likely in June.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Rep. Ronny Jackson commends passage of defense act by House committee