AZDIC Letter to Industry on Ukraine

Dear leaders of the defense community,

On behalf of the Arizona Defense Coalitions — the Yuma 50, Mesa Industry and Defense Council (MIDC), West Valley Defense Alliance (WVDA), Northern Arizona Military Affairs Council (NAMAC), and Southern Arizona Defense Alliance (SADA) — we applaud the United States for providing $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including weapons, ammunition, and body armor to Ukrainian troops. However, we want to remind the defense community not to overlook Ukrainian civilians on the ground - those who are evacuating and those who are remaining in their country - who are facing a humanitarian crisis the Western world has not seen in generations. 

Last week, 22 members of the Arizona Defense Coalitions, representing seven different military installations and numerous defense contractors, flew to DC to present a statewide defense policy document that would guide relevant AZ electeds on the top issues facing Arizona businesses and military installations today. 

In addition to sharing policy priorities on the Hill, members participated in a reception sponsored by Acronis SCS, where Acronis SCS employee Alexandra Gizhitsa shared her story of evacuating family and 200+ others out of Ukraine. This discussion clearly shows that Ukrainian-Americans and Ukrainian citizens do not currently have the support, resources, and supplies needed to safely remain and survive in Ukraine. 

Enforcing Green Corridors 

Join us in calling on Congress to urge the United Nations to enforce the green corridors established in Ukraine for evacuation out of the country. On March 9, Russia and Ukraine reached a diplomatic agreement to establish six green corridors that would serve as routes to allow citizens to evacuate the country and provide resources and medical supplies to citizens remaining in the country. However, the ceasefire agreement in the green corridors is not being honored in Ukrainian territories despite being agreed upon internationally. In central Ukraine, evacuations are only being “interrupted” with artillery fire once per day, but in Eastern Ukraine, it is a catastrophe; vehicles cannot enter despite existing corridors, and those who try to leave are constantly under artillery fire. Please call on President Biden and Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, to work with the United Nations to ensure and uphold the safety and security of these green corridors. 

Calling Defense Industry 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arizona Defense Coalitions rallied together to provide much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) to underserved and highly affected areas of Arizona, such as the Navajo Nation. AM Safe, a west valley-based provider of aviation seatbelts and seatbelt airbags, refocused its manufacturing to produce masks and protective gowns. MD Helicopters and Boeing worked to transport materials to the reservation. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, Arizonians can successfully work together to achieve incredible results, and we know that providing aid to Ukrainian citizens is no exception.

As integral members of the Arizona community, we are calling industry members within Arizona to provide much needed resources, equipment, and supplies to civilians in Ukraine. The country is currently in need of the following items:

• Search and rescue equipment

• Drones for video footage equipment

• Body armor and protective gear

• Transportation

• Gas masks with combined filter for protection from dangerous chemicals and combat toxic substances with а transportation bag

• Chemical suits for protection against hazardous chemicals, radioactive and biological substances

• Individually packaged medicines to protect and combat chemical substances

• Medical and Surgical equipment

• Animal food

Should your organization or an organization you know be interested in supplying any of the above materials to Ukraine, please contact Lynndy Smith, Chair of the West Valley Defense Alliance, at (623) 433-6827 or LS@acronisscs.com.

The Arizona Defense Coalitions thank all those who have already stepped up to support. As local leaders committed to safeguarding America's interests and its allies, we have seen firsthand how a united defense voice can bring about positive, impactful change – let's continue this effort to support those civilians and families in Ukraine.

Sincerely,

Julie Engel, president and CEO of the Yuma 50 and the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation.

Julie Pastrick, president and CEO of the Northern AZ Military Affairs Council and Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. 

Lynndy Smith, chairwoman and co-founder of the West Valley Defense Alliance and senior leader at cyber protection firm Acronis SCS.

Robert Medler, president and co-founder of Southern Arizona Defense Alliance and senior leader at Western Growers.

Sally Harrison, president and CEO of the Mesa Industry and Defense Council and Mesa Chamber of Commerce.