Rep. Gallego Passes Amendment to Allow Camp Navajo Land Conveyance to AZ National Guard
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Armed Services Committee passed an amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), introduced by Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) that would permit transfer of land at Camp Navajo, Arizona from the U.S. Army to the State of Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
This narrowly tailored land transfer would allow for select commercial activities to take place on parts of Camp Navajo while still allowing the Department of Defense to safely carry out its missions there.
"The land transfer at Camp Navajo will provide new opportunities for economic development on the base and in the surrounding area while promoting national security," said Rep. Ruben Gallego. "It's a win-win situation for the Flagstaff community, and I'm proud to have successfully fought to include it in this year's bill."
Rep. Gallego worked closely on the amendment with Congressman Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), who represents Camp Navajo and the rest of Arizona's First Congressional District.
"Since the Base Realignment and Closure Act was applied to Camp Navajo in 1993, the installation has duly performed its critical training and munitions storage missions for the Department of Defense," said Rep. O'Halleran. "Authorizing a land conveyance for a portion of Camp Navajo's property in this year's NDAA will allow it to expand upon its critical DOD missions and utilize excess storage capacity to pursue economic development opportunities for both Camp Navajo and the Northern Arizona community."
Rep. Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee.