The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

AV named as a 2022 ‘Great American Defense Community’

by •

PALMDALE – The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) announced that the Antelope Valley has been selected as one of five Great American Defense Communities for 2022.

The communities were chosen in conjunction with USAA, the program’s official sponsor at the Defense Communities National Summit earlier this month. The 2022 class also includes West Valley Partners, Ariz., Tullahoma, Tenn., Northern Virginia, and Florida’s Space Coast.

The city of Palmdale applied for the award on behalf of the region, which is home to Edwards Air Force Base, Air Force Plant 42, and several defense related companies.

“We are very excited to honor the Antelope Valley as a 2022 Great American Defense Community,” ADC President Bob Ross said. “The strength of our military starts at home and Antelope Valley is an excellent example of how a community can provide that support.”

The Great American Defense Communities program was launched by ADC in 2016 to recognize and celebrate the communities and regions that support military installations for their exceptional commitment to improving the lives of service members, veterans, and their families.

“It is truly an honor that the Antelope Valley has been recognized as a 2022 Great American Defense Community,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer. “Palmdale has a long and deep relationship with Edwards Air Force Base, Air Force Plant 42, and more than 80 prominent aerospace, commercial space, defense companies, and suppliers who to provide our nation with cutting edge aerospace technology to equip our military forces with the best resources available in their mission of keeping all of us safe and free. The Antelope Valley, also known as Aerospace Valley, is also home to thousands of veterans and military professionals who have the full support and respect of the residents and business community in our region.”

Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on integration, support and collaboration with installations and community building efforts, such as educational and employment opportunities. This year, the Great American Defense Communities Program has a special focus on how communities are innovating and pioneering new ways to serve service members and their families.

About ADC

The Association of Defense Communities is the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues and installation management to enhance knowledge, information sharing and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions, and affiliated industry organization as members, ADC represents every major defense community and state in the country. Visit defensecommunities.org to learn more.

About USAA

The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to 12.3 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable – and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

–

17 comments for "AV named as a 2022 ‘Great American Defense Community’"

  1. Just for transparency and FYI: I read last week that USAA just paid a $60 million fine for unethical business practices. $60 mil, wow.

    • Imagine what the Parris administration will have to pay once they are properly investigated for all the no bid contracts, LEAPS, Ecolution, electric power deals, BLVD deals, McMahon building purchase, and all the other shenanigans going on.

      • Rex will never get investigated. He owns every judge, politician, and businessman in the AV. He had his own personal watchdogs making sure he was protected. It would be a good thing and the right thing, but it will never happen.

      • Rex is a traitor for bringing a Communist Chinese company to the doorstep of all this aerospace and military places. Benedict Parris.

        • We could have had more defense work if not for the mayor’s love of communist and inviting them into our Aerospace Valley. Cannot tell a know it all a thing especially when they are in a position to bully with power.

          • That may have a little to do with it, but really I doubt that anyone in Washington has ever heard of our traitorous little mayor. Defense and aerospace stopped growing here when Buck McKeon retired from congress. For all his faults, he single-mindedly pushed his way to the top of the defense appropriations committee and brought home the bacon.

            Replacing him with Steve Knight, who did nothing but line his pockets as the front man for the medical equipment industry’s “no hero left behind” bill, was the beginning of the end. Moving on to Mike Garcia the insurrectionist swine is most likely the nail in the coffin. The country is not likely to put defense spending into districts that send oathbreakers to congress.

          • So if defense leaves and all we have is BYD, what do you think the AV will look like then? Thanks for nothing Rex. Like he cares. Surf’s up in Laguna.

  2. Woke AV Biden voters struggling to keep money making Defense Contractors in place so they come up with feel good JD Powers type of awards.

    • Tell the truth…your buzzword generator kicked out “Biden,” “JD Powers,” “defense contractors,” and “woke” and someone challenged you to use them all in one sentence, right? I’m guessing that they didn’t stipulate that it had to make sense.

  3. The AVs best kept secrets are being exploited for the scum bags to crap all over it more than what they are already doing. Can Martians please just nuke this world already?

  5. Great, now we’re definitely on the “nuke’ list if this Ukraine situation gets any worse.

    • LOL…if you were unaware that the AV is very near the top of the target list when you moved here you should have done a little basic research. The fact that we were 100% dead in event of a nuclear war was a routine topic of conversation on the playground when I was in grade school.

  6. “It is truly an honor that the Antelope Valley has been recognized as a 2022 Great American Defense Community,”

    It really doesn’t mean much Steve. Private Industry and manufacturing would make for a healthier economy than tax payer supported aerospace.