Young, Crapo Introduce Legislation to Preserve Air Force Fighter Structure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act, which would 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. Of the 25 Air National Guard Squadrons in the U.S., 15 do not have recapitalization plans. This bill would require the USAF to establish recapitalization plans for those units, including the 122^nd Air Wing in Indiana, to ensure that they can maintain their fighter missions for years to come.  

“Our military’s readiness and ability to respond to global threats depend on maintaining highly-trained and capable forces,” said Senator Young. “This bill will safeguard the future of Air National Guard units, including the 122nd Fighter Wing in Ft. Wayne, ensuring our forces are prepared for any challenge they may face and remain strong in the face of threats posed by adversaries abroad.”

“Highly-trained, experienced and prepared forces are a key component of our country’s national defense,” said Senator 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.”

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act would:

• Raise the minimum number of fighters in the USAF 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.

In addition to Senators Young and Crapo, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) also joined as original co-sponsors.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.