Kelly, Crapo, Hickenlooper Reintroduce Legislation to Preserve Air Force Fighter Structure
This week, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) reintroduced the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act to preserve U.S. Air Force (USAF) fighter force structure and prioritize the recapitalization of the 39 service-retained, combat-coded fighter squadrons available to the U.S. Secretary of Defense to respond globally to world events. Since 1991, the U.S. Air Force fighter fleet has been severely reduced.
“Maintaining a strong and capable Air Force fighter fleet is essential for defending our nation and ensuring our strategic advantage in the face of global threats,” said Kelly. “Fighter squadrons must have the best training, equipment, and support to meet any challenge and protect our nation’s interests.”
“Highly-trained, experienced and prepared forces are a key component of our country’s national defense,” said Crapo. “Closures of fighter squadrons within the U.S. Air Force’s Reserve component mean a permanent loss of these experienced pilot and maintainers. We must preserve and protect National Guard fighter squadrons, like the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron, from force reductions that could harm our national security. This is a critical priority as we continue to face threats from foreign adversaries like Russia, China and Iran.”
“A strategy for the future of our Air National Guard fighter fleets strengthens our national security,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bipartisan bill directs the Air Force to update all National Guard fighter squadrons, including the Buckley-based 140th Wing, in order to preserve their flying missions and retain their experienced pilots.”
“Our ability to fight and win the wars of the future will require robust combat air power,” said Major General Francis McGinn (Ret.), National Guard Association of the United States President. “The Air National Guard is a critical part of that equation, making up 30 percent of USAF combat air power with only 7 percent of the total Air Force budget. The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act will ensure the Air National Guard, the USAF reserve, and the active component have the modernized fleet they need to deter and deny our enemies. I thank Sen. Kelly, Sen. Crapo, Sen. Hickenlooper, and their colleagues for their continued support of the National Guard community.”
“The National Guard is the first choice, proven choice, and enduring choice for both the war fight and homeland defense,” said Maj Gen Kerry Muehlenbeck, Arizona National Guard Adjutant General. “Investment in and modernization of our ANG fighter force is critical to the preservation of national security. We are grateful for the leadership and support of Senator Kelly, Senator Gallego, and their colleagues to include Senators Crapo and Hickenlooper to lead this critical effort.”
The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act contained a portion of the previous version of the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act that requires the U.S. Air Force to develop a plan to sustain and recapitalize fighter fleets for the Air National Guard.
Background:
Of the 25 ANG Fighter Squadrons in existence today, 15 do not have a recapitalization or modernization plan to replace retiring legacy fighters. The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act would:
- Raise the minimum number of fighters in the Air Force inventory, requiring nearly two-thirds of aircraft to be combat capable;
- Establish a robust reporter requirement to track Air Force Fighter force structure, giving Congress oversight authority of force structure modifications;
- Prioritize recapitalization of Active Duty, Reserve and ANG units that are “service-retained” (i.e. not assigned to combatant commander) to maximize fighter assets; and
- Require a report on recapitalization of ANG fighter squadrons.
Other original cosponsors of the bill are Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Jim Banks (R-IN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Rick Scott (R-FL), Gary Peters (D-MI), Todd Young (R-IN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Jason Crow (D-CO-06) are leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).
Read the full bill text here.
