Senators Mark Kelly, Mike Crapo, and John Hickenlooper have been vocal in their support for a provision recently included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that aims to ensure the sustainability and modernization of the Air National Guard's fighter squadrons. The initiative is grounded in the Senators' Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act, a piece of legislation introduced in July of 2023 that influenced this strategic defense decision. According to a statement by Senator Kelly's Office, the NDAA passed the U.S. Senate with an 85-14 vote last week, reflecting a robust bipartisan commitment to this facet of national security.
Lauded for helping strategically modernize the Air National Guard, the provision embedded within the defense bill is expected to specifically develop and implement a plan to sustain and to recapitalize the Guardian's 25 fighter squadrons. "The Air National Guard plays a critical support role, and this provision in the defense bill will allow us to strategically modernize our Air National Guard units alongside the Air Force so that we have the most effective reserve components possible," Senator Kelly said in the Senator Kelly's Office announcement.
The senators express concerns that force reductions without a proper plan can jeopardize national security. "Force reductions in squadrons—such as the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron—reduce preparedness and jeopardize the strength of our fighting force," Senator Crapo commented as per the announcement. Similarly, Senator Hickenlooper emphasized, "Forced reductions with no plan to replace their capabilities is dangerous," highlighting the homeland defense responsibility of units like Colorado's Buckley-based 140th Wing, which carry out 94 percent of these missions, as stated by the Senator Kelly's Office.
The support for the Guard is not only found in the Senate chamber. Military leadership within the Air National Guard, including Maj Gen Kerry Muehlenbeck and Maj Gen Tim Donnellan, have also rallied behind the provision. As Maj Gen Muehlenbeck eloquently put it, "Concurrent and proportionate investment in and modernization of our ANG fighter force is critical to the preservation of national security." The leadership of the Air Guard units across the states echoes a similar sentiment, with Maj Gen Donnellan adding that sustaining and to recapitalize the fighter fleet "ensuring that the Air National Guard remains a vital, experienced and an indispensable part of the Total Force for years to come," as mentioned by the Senator Kelly's Office.
Reflecting on the shrinking fleet size, which has reduced by 60 percent since 1987, the provision seeks to address the divestment of legacy equipment such as A-10s, F-15Cs, and older F-16s from the ANG. The strategic initiative to maintain 25 ANG fighter squadrons across 22 states is seen as a necessary step in protecting Americans both at home and abroad, bolstered by the wealth of experience ANG pilots and maintainers bring to the force, often averaging twice the experience of their active-duty counterparts, as per the Senator Kelly's Office.
