Military commanders rely on the annual “National Defense Authorization Act” to prepare for the future. So do our military communities, who play a key role in the readiness of our forces.

I am especially pleased that this year’s defense bill would not authorize any new rounds of base closings – an ill-advised idea with so many global threats at hand. Instead, the bill would strengthen Mississippi’s military installations in ways that protect us against future closings.

A Stronger Keesler, National Guard

There is little doubt that Mississippi is a major contributor to our nation’s defense. Last year, the Mississippi delegation convinced the Air Force to abandon plans to transfer the C-130 “Flying Jennies” at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. Now the 815th Tactical Airlift Squadron is on track to return to full strength by 2019, according to Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of the Air Force Reserve. In addition, new jobs are being created in the 403rd Wing, which will get a maintenance unit and aeromedical evacuation squadron.

Like the “Flying Jennies,” the Army’s Apache helicopters – including those in Tupelo – have been the subject of a potential force restructure. Rather than acting hastily to cut the size of the National Guard and reallocate the helicopters, my provision with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in last year’s defense bill created a National Commission on the Future of the Army to provide thorough recommendations. The 2017 defense bill supports these recommendations, including the recommendation for the Army National Guard to keep four Apache battalions.

First-Rate Shipbuilding

As Chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee, I have traveled to nearly every major naval shipbuilding facility in the country. I am continually impressed by the work being done at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula as well as the state-of-the-art vessels made at VT Halter to advance the Navy’s capabilities at sea. Mississippi builds the ships that the Navy needs to project force around the world.

Part of my role as Seapower Chairman is to develop policies that will maintain our dominant maritime position, ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely, and prepare for future challenges and costs. This year’s defense bill would fully fund the construction of two guided missile destroyers, provide incremental funding for a third, and move forward on our fleet of amphibious ships.

Defense Cuts Still on the Horizon

Critical to the future strength of our defense is putting an end to sequestration, which remains the law of the land. These automatic, across-the-board defense cuts are set to return next year unless Congress acts. This would follow almost $200 billion in defense cuts over the past six years. The world is very different than when the “Budget Control Act” passed in 2011. The cuts were included in that law as a last resort, after more prudent efforts to reform spending failed.

We cannot continue to ask our military to do more with less, when the services are already struggling to meet the needs of our combatant commanders. We face very real threats as the Islamic State continues a campaign of terror, Russia acts with aggression, and nations like Iran and North Korea remain volatile.

Providing for the national defense is solely a federal responsibility. The fact that this could be the earliest passage of a defense authorization through Congress underscores the importance it holds for our troops and our military communities. In passing the 2017 defense bill, the Senate adds to its list of bipartisan achievements, committing to a strong and capable defense.