Sen. Cruz: ‘From Our Universities to Our Technology Sector, Texas Is Ready to Partner With the U.S. Army and Propel the Force Into the Future’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Army announced that Austin, Texas has been selected as the host for the new Army Futures Command (AFC) on Friday. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the leading advocate for Texas to host the new Army Futures Command, penned a letter to Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, and a letter to Secretary of the Army Mark Esper advocating for the Army’s expansion into Texas. The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce thanked Sen. Cruz and members of the Texas Congressional delegation for their efforts on behalf of Texas.

As part of the largest Army reorganization in 45 years, the AFC will:

• help the organization adopt new tech and explore 21st century solutions more efficiently;
• bring 500 jobs to Austin between civilian and active-duty roles, as well as many more economic opportunities for Texas businesses who will support and supply the Command;
• implement cross-functional teams (CFT) that correspond with the Army’s top six modernization priorities: Long-Range Precision Fires, Next-Generation Combat Vehicle, Future Vertical Lift, the Network, Air-and-Missile Defense, and Soldier Lethality;
• modernize the Army for the future and integrate emerging technologies to meet future threats.

Several news outlets covered Sen. Cruz’s support for the Army’s decision. Selected news coverage is below: 

The Washington Times: Pentagon picks Austin, Texas, to host Army Futures Command
“Pentagon leaders on Friday said they’ve chosen Austin to host the groundbreaking Army Futures Command, setting up the Texas capital as the central hub of the Army’s 21st-century modernization efforts and ensuring the city will reap the massive economic benefits as the military partners with academia and private industry. […] Texas lawmakers praised the Pentagon’s decision. ‘The Army made the right choice for Futures Command, and I have been honored to help to bring it home to Texas,’ Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, said in a statement. ‘With the innovation and business growth occurring around our state, the many high-tech companies, and dozens of companies that supply all manner of advanced technology to our military, Texas is uniquely positioned to ensure the Army succeeds in this new mission. As Futures Command is established, I am eager to continue working with the Army to ensure they are ready to preserve peace and deter aggression.’” 

KXAN: Why Pentagon chose Austin for Army Futures Command
“The future of the Army could lie in Austin. The U.S. Army has announced Texas' capital city as its location for the Army Futures Command, where it aims to develop cutting edge technology for soldiers under a more centralized structure. The announcement from the Pentagon comes as officials look to modernize the military. ‘This is the biggest organizational change for Army since 1973,’ Army Secretary Mark Esper said Friday morning. […] ‘Army Futures Command is charged with modernizing the Army for the future and integrating emerging technologies to meet future threats,’ Cruz said, in a series of tweets. ‘From our universities to our technology sector, Texas is ready to partner with the U.S. Army and propel the force into the future.’”

KVUE: State, city leaders address 'Army Futures Command HQ to Austin' announcement
“U.S. Army leaders announced Friday that they've chosen Austin, Texas, as the location for a new command headquarters that will focus on how to modernize the service and prepare for future wars. The Army laid out plans to create the so-called Futures Command last October, marking the first time in decades that the service has added such a high-level, new headquarters. […] U.S. Senator Ted Cruz released the following statement: ‘The Army made the right choice for Futures Command, and I have been honored to help to bring it home to Texas,’ Sen. Cruz said. ‘With the innovation and business growth occurring around our state, the many high-tech companies, and dozens of companies that supply all manner of advanced technology to our military, Texas is uniquely positioned to ensure the Army succeeds in this new mission. As Futures Command is established, I am eager to continue working with the Army to ensure they are ready to preserve peace and deter aggression.’”

KUT: Austin Chosen As Site For U.S. Army's New Weapons Development Post
“Austin will be the home of the U.S. Army's new Futures Command, the installation intended to modernize the Army by developing new weapons systems and technologies. In an announcement this morning, Army Secretary Mark T. Esper said the site in Austin will allow for an "entire modernization process under one roof." Raleigh, Boston, Minneapolis and Philadelphia were also finalists for the site selection. […] Sen. Ted Cruz praised the announcement as well, saying in a written statement that the Army ‘made the right choice.’ ‘With the innovation and business growth occurring around our state, the many high-tech companies, and dozens of companies that supply all manner of advanced technology to our military, Texas is uniquely positioned to ensure the Army succeeds in this new mission,’ Cruz said.”

KETK: U.S. Army selects Austin as host for new Army Futures Command
“On Friday, the U.S. Army announced Austin has been selected as the host for the new Army Futures Command. Following the announcement, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz issued the following statement in support: ‘The Army made the right choice for Futures Command, and I have been honored to help to bring it home to Texas,’ Sen. Cruz said. ‘With the innovation and business growth occurring around our state, the many high-tech companies, and dozens of companies that supply all manner of advanced technology to our military, Texas is uniquely positioned to ensure the Army succeeds in this new mission. As Futures Command is established, I am eager to continue working with the Army to ensure they are ready to preserve peace and deter aggression.’ Sen. Cruz has been a leading advocate for Texas to host the new Army Futures Command, and recently penned a letter to Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. He also joined Sen. John Cornyn and 13 members of the Texas Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of the Army Mark Esper advocating for the Army’s expansion into Texas.” 

Breitbart: U.S. Army Setting Up Futures Command in Tech-Savvy Texas Capital
“The U.S. Army is standing up the Army Futures Command in Austin, the capital of Texas, in its first major reorganization in more than forty years, Army leaders announced on Friday. The new command will consolidate all Army efforts to prepare for war fighting, from planning to developing future combat systems. The Army had considered more than a hundred locations, but decided on Austin, Texas, since it is a growing tech hub close to top schools and affordable to live in. ‘The Army made the right choice. The Austin Mega Region has 6,500 high-tech companies, an innovation ecosystem with 36 incubators and accelerators, and dozens of companies that supply all manner of advanced technology to our military. There are tens of thousands of students and hundreds of thousands of veterans in the area,’ said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in a statement.”

###