WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) this week questioned Chief Master Sergeant Roger Towberman, Chief Master Sergeant Joanne Bass, Acting Secretary Jennifer Miller, and Brigadier General William Kale on Laughlin Air Force Base’s facilities and the national security threat to Laughlin Air Force Base posed by the Blue Hills Wind Farm. Congressman Gonzales emphasized in his remarks that Airmen should be focused on their mission to defend America, rather than prioritizing the race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs of our Airmen. 

Watch a clip from the hearing here.

Highlights: 

Opening Remarks: “What worries me is right now we are talking about black airmen, brown airmen, gay airmen, straight airmen, Catholic airmen, and Jewish airmen. We are not talking about just airmen. I don’t want us to lose sight. I don’t want the military, in particular, to lose sight of its focus, of its mission, and of its goal.”

On the Laughlin Air Force Base’s Facilities: “At a time when the service is addressing a pilot shortage, we need to ensure we have adequate facilities to enhance recruitment, retainment, and readiness.”

On the Blue Hills Wind Farm: “In 2015, more than 130,000 acres near Laughlin were purchased by GH America, a subsidiary of a Chinese energy company owned by a former PLA Officer, to develop a wind farm. I am extremely concerned with the national security implications of this purchase as well as the potential impacts to flight training.”