The House on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a $601
billion defense authorization bill that spares the A-10 aircraft, including
those stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, from
elimination during the 2015 fiscal year.
billion defense authorization bill that spares the A-10 aircraft, including
those stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, from
elimination during the 2015 fiscal year.
In fact, the bill spares a wide array of planes, ships
and military bases in an election-year nod to hometown interests.
and military bases in an election-year nod to hometown interests.
Republicans and Democrats united
behind the popular measure that authorizes spending on weapons and personnel
for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The vote was 325-98 for the legislation,
which now must be reconciled with a work-in-progress Senate version.
behind the popular measure that authorizes spending on weapons and personnel
for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The vote was 325-98 for the legislation,
which now must be reconciled with a work-in-progress Senate version.
The A-10s
have key allies in the Senate so the House action should hold up.
have key allies in the Senate so the House action should hold up.
The Pentagon had proposed retiring
the Cold War-era U-2 spy plane and the A-10 “Warthog” close-air support
aircraft as well as shuttering unnecessary bases.
the Cold War-era U-2 spy plane and the A-10 “Warthog” close-air support
aircraft as well as shuttering unnecessary bases.
Spending on the military is being
cut after more than a decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
deficit-driven budget reductions are taking a toll.
cut after more than a decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
deficit-driven budget reductions are taking a toll.
U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, whose district includes
Selfridge, praised the House vote. The Harrison Township Republican, a member
of the Homeland Security Committee, called the A-10 Thunderbolts “the most effective weapons system used to protect our combat forces on
the ground.”
Selfridge, praised the House vote. The Harrison Township Republican, a member
of the Homeland Security Committee, called the A-10 Thunderbolts “the most effective weapons system used to protect our combat forces on
the ground.”
In a statement, Miller said:
“Our support for the A-10 is
based on facts, the cost effective nature of these aircraft, and the strong
support of our soldiers who depend on the close air support provided by the
A-10.
based on facts, the cost effective nature of these aircraft, and the strong
support of our soldiers who depend on the close air support provided by the
A-10.
“I hear it time and time
again from our troops who have served in combat in defense of freedom as well
as those that operate A-10s out of Selfridge. They all agree that it is the
most dependable aircraft. They use words like “proven, effective and reliable”
to describe it. They say it is the only weapons system that can do what
it does, and what it does, is protect them in combat.
again from our troops who have served in combat in defense of freedom as well
as those that operate A-10s out of Selfridge. They all agree that it is the
most dependable aircraft. They use words like “proven, effective and reliable”
to describe it. They say it is the only weapons system that can do what
it does, and what it does, is protect them in combat.
“Our troops put their lives
in harm’s way for our liberty, and we need to make sure we do everything
possible to protect them in battle. I am glad that, today, a bi-partisan
majority in the House agreed with me and so many across this nation about the
importance of the A-10 to our national defense.”
in harm’s way for our liberty, and we need to make sure we do everything
possible to protect them in battle. I am glad that, today, a bi-partisan
majority in the House agreed with me and so many across this nation about the
importance of the A-10 to our national defense.”
