Proposed Rock Island Arsenal merger could critically impact the QC: Sign the petition to stop it

The Rock Island Arsenal needs your support. As one of the region's most significant economic drivers, the Arsenal employs approximately 6,250 people and contributes over $1.2 billion annually to our local economy. But a proposed Department of Defense merger could critically impact the Quad Cities economy and national security. 

The proposed action, which would merge the Army Sustainment Command (ASC) and the Joint Munitions Command (JMC) is driven by a desire to cut overhead and consolidate logistics functions. This change would not only jeopardize the logistics edge of these specialized commands but would critically impact the QC economy. With 400 highly skilled jobs at risk, the proposed merger is not a minor reorganization, but would risk fundamentally altering the economic fabric of one of the Army's most productive communities.

Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) board members, Congressional staff from both Illinois and Iowa, local mayors and Chamber officials gathered on Tuesday, May 13, for a press conference in support of the Rock Island Arsenal, and urged Quad Citizens to join in this support.

"This is all about unity for the Rock Island Arsenal, unity for the rock," said Mike Matson, Davenport mayor and RIADA Board Chair. "This is a bi-state, bipartisan coalition of support for our Rock Island Arsenal friends. This base is a key component in the lethality and readiness of our army and our joint forces," he said.

The current dual command structure at the Arsenal enables rapid and specialized response: ASC for general support to fielded forces; JMC for precision munitions supply. Reversing this structure now, especially during an era of heightened global security concerns, would undermine the strategic advantage that has long set the U.S. military apart. 

"We have two critical entities, the JMC and the ASC, whose sole purpose is to ensure the war fighter and all the entities around the world that represent the National Command Authority have what they need to do the job that the American people and the National Command Authority ask them to do," said Matson.

Trish Huber, RIADA Vice Chair and retired SES, JMC, added that the Joint Munitions Command produces, stores and distributes conventional ammunition not just for the Army, but for all the services - from small caliber ammunition to 5,000-pound bombs. Merging the organizations risks diluting the specialized knowledge critical to both missions. "You can imagine - you just don't move ammunition without significant security and safety measures," she said. "The people working for the JMC - they do this daily, without incident. That's a critical mission." 

"The collective work that goes on at the Rock Island Arsenal amounts to billions of dollars in regional economic impact to the Quad Cities and beyond," said Peter Tokar III, Chamber President & CEO. "Arsenal employees are our neighbors, friends and colleagues. Now is the time as a community to stand together to support the Rock Island Arsenal. The influence and output that the Arsenal has on our region and nation cannot be understated. We look forward to continuing this conversation with our national leaders." 

"The collective mission is simple," said Matson. "To protect the Rock Island Arsenal, protect our national security and protect our economy."

Help us protect the Rock Island Arsenal. Sign the petition and join us in urging Congress to stop this merger.