An A-10 from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base fires its gun at the Goldwater Range during the Hawgsmoke competiton. June 2016
Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Ann Kirkpatrick are leading a group of bipartisan lawmakers in a call to fully fund the A10 aircraft fleet, part of which is based at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. Duncan Moon reports.
The appeal made in a letter to the Senate and House Appropriation committees was also signed by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Representative Ruben Gallego. At a time of uncertainty on the border between Russia and Ukraine, and with units at Davis Monthan on alert for potential deployment, the letter calls the aircraft "an invaluable close air support asset for combat troops".
The President's budget calls for a reduction of the A-10 fleet, but Senator Kelly, who has flown close air support missions in combat, says the A10 is the most effective and cost-efficient close-air-support aircraft in the Department of Defense inventory.
The letter also notes that the DOD currently has no replacement for what the A10 provides and that now is not the time to retire any of the jets from service.
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