This year marks an important step in the progress of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, as the Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin have reached an agreement in principle to manufacture 32 F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jets.
With Congress reconvening and beginning to address the country’s fiscal mess, many believe deep cuts to defense programs such as the F-35 are essential to lowering the debt. While I agree that a balanced approach to deficit reduction is necessary, slashing programs that provide good-paying American jobs is shortsighted and takes us in the wrong direction.
As Organizing Director of District Lodge 725 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers, I know first hand how important the F-35 is to our economy.
California significantly benefits from the F-35’s development and production. The Golden State is home to nearly 300 manufacturers that produce more than 27,000 direct and indirect jobs and has an economic impact of more than $6 billion on our state. With California still struggling to climb out of recession, cuts to this important program are ill-founded and counterproductive.
Not only is the F-35 program important to our economy, but also plays a key role in maintaining the safety of our troops around the world, supporting our strategic allies, and protecting our democratic way of life here at home. The working men and women who help build this aircraft are playing a vital role in keeping this generation and our children’s generation safe, and they deserve our support.
The F-35 represents a quantum leap in capability and survivability, benefitting America and our Allies now and for years to come. What’s more, it will continue to create the high tech jobs that are essential to growing our economy and supporting the kind of vibrant middle class that has made America’s and California’s economy the envy of the world.
It is my hope that California’s Congressional members will stand up for good-paying jobs and urge their colleagues to continue funding for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.
Brian Miller
Organizing Director
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
District Lodge 725