The Warren Sun

Representative John James (MI-10) and a group of bipartisan lawmakers have sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, emphasizing the importance of fleet leveling for the Air National Guard. The letter, co-led by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), along with 47 other members of Congress, highlights the critical need for fleet leveling to address the challenge of maintaining both capacity and capability of advanced fighters in the face of fiscal and production constraints. The letter aims to prevent the closure of fighter squadrons across the Total Force, preserving vital capacity and expertise.

The letter states, "Fleet leveling is an efficient interim solution to the challenge facing the Air Force – how to deter China with both the capacity and capability of advanced fighters, given fiscal and production constraints. Fleet leveling temporarily balances fighters across active duty, ANG, and AFRC squadrons to allow time for industry production capacity to catch up with demand. Most importantly, fleet leveling prevents the closure of fighter squadrons across the Total Force, thereby preserving critical capacity that would otherwise be forever lost."

The lawmakers highlight the alarming shortage of pilots and maintenance personnel within the Air Force. They emphasize that closing an Air National Guard (ANG) or Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) fighter squadron results in the permanent loss of experienced personnel, along with the substantial investment made in their training. This loss of expertise not only hampers the nation's defense capabilities but also incurs additional costs and training requirements to replace that experience.

In a statement, Rep. James underscores the urgency of the situation, particularly in relation to Selfridge, an airbase in Michigan. He expresses his concern about the Air Force's delay in making critical decisions regarding the future of a fighter mission at Selfridge and the need to ensure an adequate industrial capacity for fighter production. Rep. James urges Secretary Kendall to implement "Fleet Leveling" by temporarily reallocating extra fighters from active-duty bases to support fighter missions at bases like Selfridge across the country.

Senator Crapo also emphasizes the significance of maintaining and protecting National Guard fighter squadrons in the face of external threats from Russia, China, and Iran. He commits to working closely with the U.S. Air Force to preserve the critical role played by Air National Guard fighter units, such as the Idaho National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron. Senator Crapo believes that fleet leveling is the best interim solution to maintain readiness across the country.

The bipartisan effort aims to ensure that the experience and expertise resident in Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command fighter squadrons remain accessible for the nation's defense during this decisive decade. By advocating for fleet leveling, these lawmakers are striving to preserve vital capacity and readiness in the Air National Guard, safeguarding national security in the face of evolving threats.

To read the full letter, click here.

To find out more, go to this link: https://james.house.gov/media/press-releases/james-leads-bicameral-bipartisan-letter-air-force-secretary-kendall-regarding