WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representatives John James (MI-10) and Don Davis (NC-1) introduced the Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act, which requires the Air Force to sustain fighter aircraft procurement and production to fully recapitalize the Air National Guard. This legislation would ensure that the aging A-10 fighter squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base would be recapitalized with a new fighter mission.
Retaining the overall combat strength in the Air National Guard while America is already short pilots and maintainers, as China continues to close the capabilities gap, is critically important as we work to modernize our fleet.
Rep. James issued the following statement regarding the legislation:
"Air National Guard fighter units represent 21 percent of the total Air Force, 30 percent of the Air Force combat power, and 94 percent of homeland defense—at 40 percent of the cost. The Guard is far too critical to our national security to ignore. Selfridge Air National Guard Base is uniquely positioned on our Northern border and Great Lakes, highly lethal, cost effective, and crucial to our local and state economy. Our nation called on Michigan for two world wars and a global pandemic. My bill will assure that Selfridge is prepared and ready to answer when America calls again.”
Rep. Davis issued the following statement:
“It is imperative to prioritize taking the necessary steps to ensure the continued production and procurement of fighter aircraft. Our country will be better prepared for global threats, and the American people will be safer,” said Congressman Davis.
The Air National Guard Squadron Preservation Act:
- Makes it U.S. policy to maintain the Total Fighter Force needed to confront any threats by retaining force structure through the fighter squadrons across the Air National Guard (ANG).
- Amends the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act Air National Guard recapitalization plan to include “fifth generation fighter aircraft” in the language.
- Requires the Air Force to continue production and procurement of an “advanced capability fighter aircraft” and a “fifth generation fighter aircraft” to replace all legacy capability fighter aircraft within each ANG fighter unit.
- For this Act, the definition of “advanced capability fighter aircraft” means F-15EX, F-16 Block 70/72, and future variants. “Fifth generation fighter aircraft” means an F-35 or F-22 aircraft.
- Requires the Air Force to fulfill this procurement requirement by entering in to or modifying a procurement contract.
- Requires the GAO to conduct a review of advanced capability fighter aircraft—to assess any procurement challenges and to issue recommendations on how to solve those challenges.
- Requests that the Air Force, in consultation with the ANG, conduct a study on continued procurement of advanced capability fighter aircraft to recapitalize the ANG.
View the legislation here.
