Congressman Seeks to Keep Fighter Program in California

Seeking to keep the $750-billion Joint Strike Fighter project in California, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) announced plans to introduce legislation that would force the Defense Department to study the cost of assembling the fighter in Palmdale.

Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co. have design teams in Palmdale competing for the project, but have announced their intentions to construct the fighter in Texas and Missouri, respectively, if awarded the contract.

McKeon said building the fighter locally would save $2.2 billion in federal funds because of state tax credits, lower security costs, proximity to testing facilities at Edwards Air Force Base and a well-trained work force.

“This was the aerospace state,” McKeon said. “We are still in the top rung in this country--and that means the world.”

McKeon said his bill would be co-sponsored by Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove). McKeon and Sanchez are leading the California delegation on the Joint Strike Fighter issue. While McKeon’s district would benefit most directly, work would be scattered throughout the region to subcontractors. McKeon announced his plans at a summit called by Gov. Gray Davis to boost the fortunes of the state’s flagging aerospace industry.

“This industry has been uniquely identified with growth of California,” Davis said. “We can fight for every project. We can fight for every job.”

McKeon said it was important that the governor weigh in on the issue to show “top down” support for aerospace given the loss of 192,000 state jobs during the 1990s.