Sen. Cruz: El Pasos Fort Bliss Is a Crucial Base for Those Who Serve on the Front Lines to Keep Our Nation Secure

Tours Fort Bliss and 1^st Armored Division   Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today joined Major General Robert White Colonel Michael J. Hester Mr. Bob Burns and Mr. Jorge Rio on an aerial tour of Fort Bliss and discussed with base leadership their goals and needs for the base over the long term. Texas is blessed to be home to so many of our men and women in uniform and El Pasos Fort Bliss is a crucial base for those who serve on the front lines to keep our entire nation safe and secure" Sen. Cruz said. Fort Bliss is a permanent fixture of both our nations military heritage and the Lone Star States economy supporting more than 35000 soldiers and contributing $24 billion to the Texas economy in 2015 alone. It has been a pleasure to hear from those leading the operations at Fort Bliss and I am committed to representing them and defending their interests in Washington." Fort Bliss is comprised of about 1 million acres of land across Texas and New Mexico and is home to the 1^st Armored Division the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy and the 11^th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade. Additionally it is a FORSCOM installation comprised of units from other commands including U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Joint Task Force North (JTF-NORTH) U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and the U.S. Army Reserve. Fort Bliss is the largest employer and economic driver in the El Paso area contributing $24 billion to the Texas economy in 2015 and employing more than 135000 personnel with a gross domestic product of $14 billion and disposable personal income of $8 billion. More than 35000 active duty military are assigned to Fort Bliss with more than 90000 veteran retirees - plus their families - residing in the El Paso area. Pictures and videos of Sen. Cruzs base tour may be downloaded for media use here. *Please note this link will be updated periodically throughout the day.