A-10 supporters called to support NDAA amendment

Supporters of the Air Force’s A-10, including its pilots and the troops on the ground, are calling their representatives and senators this week in an effort to promote the Ayotte-Blunt A-10 amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2014.

If the amendment were to pass, the practical effect would be to prohibit any additional A-10 retirements until approximately 2021 or later. The amendment is necessary say A-10 supporters because the F-35 is years away from being viable replacement.

This amendment requires the Air Force to first make 3 certifications related to the F-35A achieving full operational capability. It also requires the GAO to confirm the Air Force’s certification and to ensure the Air Force, which wants the sexier and far more expansive F-35 to take center stage in funding matters.

Only after the certification process is completed could the Air Force retire any additional A-10s.

The urgency for action is due to the fact that the vote on the amendment is expected as early as Tuesday.

Last week, Arizona’s Congressman Ron Barber joined Senator Ayotte, a New Hampshire Republican, in writing a bipartisan letter to top Pentagon officials enumerating the strengths of the A-10 and the many reasons why it should be kept as part of the Air Force fleet. The letter was also signed by 19 other members of the House and 12 other members of the Senate.

General Raymond Odierno, the Army Chief of Staff, said at a Senate Armed Services Committee on November 7, that the “A-10 is the best close air support platform we have today.”

“The A-10 plays an essential role in helping our ground forces and special operators accomplish their missions and return home safely,” Barber and Ayotte wrote in their letter. “We oppose any effort that would divest the A-10, creating a (close air support) CAS capability gap that would reduce Air Force combat power and unnecessarily endanger our service members in future conflicts.”

The A-10 is the main aircraft stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, where the 355th Fighter Wing flies 82 of the planes.

Across the country today, the call has gone out to defend the plane which has defended so many.

In Arizona call:

Senator John McCain

202-224-2235

602-952-2410

www.mccain.senate.gov/

Senator Jeff Flake

202-224-4521

602-840-1891

www.flake.senate.gov/

Rep Ann Kirkpatrick(D1)