Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on 02/27/2026 in Camden as part of the Arsenal of Freedom Tour, alongside U.S. Senator Tom Cotton and U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman.
The tour began at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, where officials observed Load, Assemble, and Pack operations supporting critical munitions production. The company’s 155mm artillery facility, opened in 2025 in partnership with the U.S. Army, plays a key role in strengthening the nation’s ammunition supply chain.
Secretary Hegseth administered the Oath of Enlistment to 40 Arkansas recruits, including 20 entering the Arkansas National Guard and 20 entering active duty service.
The delegation later toured L3Harris Technologies, where leaders highlighted advanced manufacturing operations. A new solid rocket motor facility, first announced during a 2025 groundbreaking attended by Governor Sanders, will increase production capacity 6-fold and create 50 new jobs once complete.
Camden is home to major aerospace and defense employers, including Lockheed Martin and Dassault Falcon Jet, making aerospace and defense Arkansas’ top export sector.
In 2025, Arkansas was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor to lead a nationwide expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing. The initiative complements the Governor’s workforce strategy, including Arkansas LAUNCH, designed to connect jobseekers with employers in high-demand industries tied to national security.
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