Cornyn Joins Sec. Hegseth on Arsenal of Freedom Tour in Texas

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today showcased Texas’ robust defense industry with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during the Texas leg of the Arsenal of Freedom Tour, which included a visit with wounded soldiers in San Antonio, a tour of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 plant in Fort Worth, and a stop at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Brownsville, along with a swearing-in ceremony for service members at a U.S. Navy recruiting center in Westworth Village. Additional details and photos from the visits are below. 

“Peace through strength was on full display during Secretary Hegseth’s Arsenal of Freedom Tour in Texas,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Home to world-class workers and facilities like those at Lockheed Martin and SpaceX, the Lone Star State stands ready to produce the military aircraft, space technology, and resources needed to prepare the United States to take on our foreign adversaries and tackle the threats of tomorrow. Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue to ensure the U.S. military remains equipped and ready to defend our great nation.”

The Secretary and Senator kicked off the tour this morning in San Antonio, where they visited with Army soldiers who were wounded in Operation Absolute Resolve and thanked them for their service. Additional attendees included Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13).

Later, they traveled to Fort Worth and toured Lockheed Martin’s state-of-the-art F-35 plant. Senator Cornyn has a long track record of supporting the F-35, including most recently voting to bolster this incredible warfighting platform in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act so the United States can continue producing the F-35 stealth fighter and modernizing the aircraft’s capabilities. Additionally, the group visited with Lockheed Martin employees, who helped deliver a record number of F-35s last year. The Secretary and Senator were joined by Sen. Ted Cruz, Representatives Craig Goldman (TX-12), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Roger Williams (TX-25), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), and Pat Fallon (TX-04), Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, and military leaders.

After the Lockheed Martin tour, the group participated in the oath of enlistment and swearing-in of Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Red River’s new class of Navy recruits at the U.S. Navy Recruiting Station Fort Worth (NRS FW) in Westworth Village, Texas

They wrapped up the Texas tour in Starbase, where they visited SpaceX’s facility and met with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to discuss the future of space innovation and strengthening defense capabilities through advanced satellite technology.

After the meeting with Mr. Musk, the group received a walking tour.