East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) are applauding the inclusion of language based on the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act in the Senate version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Senate Armed Services Committee announced that it voted 22-3 to advance the FY 2025 NDAA.

Kelly secured the language in the Senate Armed Services Committee’s FY 2025 NDAA. Crapo and Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) introduced the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act in July 2023.

The language requires the Secretary of the Air Force, in consultation with the Director of the Air National Guard (ANG), to develop and implement a plan to sustain and recapitalize the 25 fighter squadrons of the ANG. This language is mirrored after the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act, which prevents the closure of ANG fighter squadrons at a time when pilot and maintenance manning are at critically low levels.

“Inclusion of this language protects squadrons--such as the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron--from force reductions,” said Crapo. “Preserving our National Guard fighter squadrons means our nation will continue to be well-prepared amid increasing national security threats.”

“As we modernize our Air Force to meet the growing threats we face, we also need to modernize our Air National Guard. This will give us the roadmap we need to support the Air National Guard’s continued role in providing tactical airlift, air refueling, natural disaster, and other reserve and support capabilities in Arizona and across the country,” said Kelly.

Since 1987, the Air Force fighter fleet has been reduced by 60 percent. The ANG represents 27 percent of the Air Force fighter force and is responsible for 94 percent of homeland defense missions. Unfortunately, the Air Force is moving to divest many of its legacy equipment, including A-10s, F-15Cs, and older F-16s, without a plan to recapitalize them with advanced aircraft. The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act will ensure that the Air Force maintains 25 ANG fighter squadrons across 22 states, ready to protect Americans at home and abroad. On average, pilots and maintainers in the ANG are twice as experienced as their active-duty counterparts.

“Great power competition is not a challenge we will face someday in future; it is a today challenge. Fighter force preservation and recapitalization language in the 2025 NDAA is good for our nation and good for Air Force,” said Maj Gen Tim Donnellan, adjutant general of Idaho and commander of Idaho National Guard. “Idaho is fighter country, and it is essential that we stay in fight to defend homeland as ready relevant combat squadron of Air National Guard USAF deter defeat threats nation state. This language critical step right direction ensuring all components remain One Team–One Fight!”

The Senate may consider its version of FY 2025 NDAA as soon as later this month.