On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate delivered final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (NDAA) by a vote of 91-3, sending this legislation once again to President Obama’s desk for signature. The bill includes several measures that will ensure the State of Arizona continues to make vital contributions to national security.
Also on Tuesday, The Hill reported that the Air Force may delay the premature retirement of the A-10.
While everyone knows that the USAF cannot be trusted to do the right thing for the boots on the ground and the taxpayers, Senator Kelly Ayotte, a staunch advocate for the A-10 is taking a trust but verify attitude. In a statment released on Tuesday, Ayotte reminded the public that just last year, General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle’s predecessor at Air Combat Command, General Michael Hostage said, “I can’t send an A-10 to Syria. It would never come back.”
“Last year, the Air Force said it couldn’t send A-10’s to Syria because they wouldn’t survive, but now the Air Force may delay the campaign to divest the A-10 because the aircraft is performing so well in Syria. The A-10’s performance in Syria is no surprise to the ground troops who have long warned that efforts to prematurely divest the aircraft will reduce the quality of close air support available and put lives at risk,” stated Ayotte.
“I look forward to reviewing the Air Force’s budget request early next year as it relates to the A-10. If the Air Force decides to end its campaign to prematurely divest the A-10, it would be a great day for our ground troops and a terrible day for America’s enemies. If the Air Force fails to listen to our infantrymen, special operators, and JTACs, I will continue to help lead efforts in Congress to ensure that when our ground troops call for help our nation sends the very best close air support,” continued Ayotte.
According to Senator John McCain the bill before Obama “delivers some of the most significant reforms to the Defense Department in decades while reinvesting savings in enhancing the readiness and capability of American service members. The bill also includes several important measures that will ensure the State of Arizona continues to make vital contributions to national security.”
Last month, the President vetoed an earlier version of the NDAA over broader budget disagreements – the first time in history that a President has vetoed the NDAA for reasons unrelated to defense. According to McCain, President Obama is poised to sign the amended legislation that passed Congress today following approval of a two-year Congressional budget agreement that resolved the President’s issues with domestic spending.
McCain says he is proud of the bill that will stop the “Air Force from prematurely retiring the A-10 fleet and seven EC-130H Compass Call electronic attack airplanes stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson; supports the manufacturing of new weapons systems and defense technologies in our state; authorizes much-needed military construction projects at Arizona bases; and strengthens vital border security operations to keep our communities safe. Most importantly, this bill includes critical provisions that will improve the lives of military service members and their families while ensuring we care for the ill, wounded and injured.”
Related articles:
JTAC on A 10: “the sound of don’t mess with me”
A-10 in play as Senate Appropriations Committee drafts FY 2015 NDAA
Ayotte: If the Air Force cut their acquisition failures they could save the A-10
Air Force brass taken to task for A-10 mothball plans