Arizona Legislators Move to Protect Army Test Facility from Interference

The Arizona state senate passed a bill in 2008 that would protect the U.S. Army’s radio and electronic testing site from interference. Senate Bill 1387 requires cities, town, or counties to notify Fort Huachuca commanders when they receive an application to alter property in the military electronics range. Fort Huachuca’s unique topography ringed by metal rich mountains provides an environment free from radio interference for military testing of electronic signals, unmanned aerial systems, and intelligence and electronic warfare training. The only known comparable site is in Australia. The bill was sponsored by Senate President Tim Bee (Rep. – Tucson) and was passed by a vote of 27 – 1. The Arizona House then took up the bill.