Congressman Fong in The Daily Independent: The Aerospace and Defense Work in Our Backyard Shapes America’s Future

RIDGECREST, Calif. - This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) published an opinion article in The Daily Independent highlighting the critical role California's 20th Congressional District plays in advancing America's aerospace innovation, defense capabilities, and national security. Read the full article here.

Read the full text below:

When we talk about American strength and leadership-our military might, technological edge, and readiness to meet 21st-century threats-we should look beyond abstract ideas and budget numbers. We should focus on the places where those future capabilities are developed.

Nowhere embodies that better than the network of military bases, ranges, and installations in our community. Here, cutting-edge research, development, testing, and evaluation don't just happen-they define America's dominance in defense, aerospace, and aviation.

That reality was reinforced during the "Arsenal of Freedom" defense industrial base tour, where I joined Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in our state to highlight the powerful partnership between our district's military installations, defense industry, and research institutions.

The tour underscored an important truth: America's strength depends not only on military readiness, but also on the engineers, manufacturers, and innovators in our region who equip our Armed Forces with the most advanced capabilities in the world.

Our district is home to an unmatched concentration of defense and aerospace assets critical to national security. These include Naval Air Station Lemoore, the Navy's premier strike-fighter base; Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, a hub for weapons development and testing; Edwards Air Force Base, the heart of Air Force flight testing and innovation; and the Fresno Air National Guard Base, which supports rapid-response missions and homeland defense.

These installations are national treasures. They ensure our warfighters have the training, tools, and technological edge needed to deter and defeat near-peer adversaries. As threats from China, Russia, and other bad actors grow more serious, our response must meet that reality with sustained investment and resolve.

That is why I supported the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and related appropriations that secure key funding for projects at our local bases. These investments improve facilities, strengthen support for military families, and accelerate the development of critical new technologies.

Investing in China Lake's ranges and laboratories, Edwards' test infrastructure, Air Force aerospace partnerships, and Lemoore's combat readiness is not optional-it is essential to securing America's future and maintaining our competitive edge.

I also had the honor of welcoming NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. His visit further reinforced that our community is a cornerstone of American defense, aerospace innovation, and national security.

At Armstrong, Administrator Isaacman and I saw firsthand groundbreaking work in advanced flight testing, hypersonics, and next-generation aerospace technologies. This research is not only cutting-edge-it is mission-critical to strengthening our national security and ensuring the United States remains the global leader in aerospace innovation.

Administrator Isaacman's leadership and commitment to keeping America at the forefront of innovation is exactly what our country needs in an era of intensifying global competition. The breakthroughs happening at Armstrong are shaping the future of aviation and space exploration while also supporting the technologies that give our warfighters a decisive advantage.

In an era of rapid technological change and intensifying global competition, our military installation technology hubs like NASA Armstrong-and the men and women who dedicate their careers to advancing these missions-must be recognized and supported as the vital national assets they are. We must protect these installations, invest in continued innovation, and expand their capabilities to ensure America remains secure for generations to come.