SC crucial to America’s defense

As a retired F-16 pilot from the S.C. Air National Guard, I am extremely proud of the growing contribution our state is making to protecting America.

In the Lowcountry, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is one of the country’s first bases to house a squadron of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The F-35 has been called the “world’s most advanced fighter aircraft,” combining advanced stealth capabilities with speed and agility and replacing outdated fighters for America and 10 of our closest allies. Today there are 28 F-35B planes stationed in Beaufort, with plans to reach more than 90.

Beaufort also is home to the Lockheed Martin Marine Corps Pilot Training Center, developing mission-ready pilots for the United States and our allies.

South Carolina is reaping economic benefits from our increased role in national defense. Lockheed Martin’s Greenville plant could manufacturethe T-50A advance pilot training aircraft if the company wins the Air Force contract. That would mean 250 new high-tech, high-skill jobs in Greenville, in addition to 250 more jobs from its relocation of its F-16 production line to Greenville.

Join me in thanking our members of Congress for their support of the F-35, because it is good for America and good for South Carolina.

Our state will continue to be at the center of leading-edge defense technology. It’s in our very nature, as evident in the S.C. Air National Guard motto: “Semper primus” or “Always first.”

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 3:44 PM with the headline "SC crucial to America’s defense."