Press Releases

The United States House of Representatives today approved more than $452 million to preserve the present force structure of the A-10 Thunderbolt fleet. The fiscal year 2016 Defense Appropriations bill also prohibits the Air Force from placing A-10s in backup status or retirement securing protection of the 23d Wing stationed at Moody Air Force Base.

Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), who represents Moody Air Force Base in Congress, has been a leader in the fight to preserve the A-10. During discussions leading to the passage of the legislation today by the House, he testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee highlighting the importance of the A-10 to our national security and requesting full funding for the fleet.

“The legislation passed today provides critical funding for the A-10 fleet while providing the necessary protections to ensure there are no backdoor divestment attempts,” Carter said. “Plain and simple, the A-10 is the only aircraft of its kind that can effectively accomplish its mission of protecting our troops while remaining close to the battlefield for any additional support that may be needed by ground forces. Passage of this bill is a strong step in the protection of the Warthog and our troops and I am committed to continuing the fight. I strongly urge the Senate to put the safety of our troops first and provide the same support for the fleet as the House has done today.”

The A-10 provides Close Air Support and Combat Search-And-Rescue capability unmatched by any other aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory.  No other fixed-wing airframes are as proficient as the A-10 in operating in rugged environments, low visibility, and very low altitudes. The A-10s, operated by the 23rd Wing, have been providing critical close air support (CAS) for our ground troops since they first entered service in the 1970s. It is this unique ability to perform effective close air support that has garnered the A-10 with high accolades in recent theatres of conflict, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently, A-10s are flying Close Air Support missions against ISIS advances. Fox news has reported that the A-10 “sparked panic in the ranks of ISIS after bombing its elements and flying in spaces close to the ground.” The Warthog flew eleven percent of the attacks in Iraq between November 2014 and January 2015 and continues to support missions against the terrorist group.

The fiscal year 2016 Defense Appropriations bill funds critical national security needs, military operations abroad, and health and quality-of-life programs for the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Carter voted in support of the legislation.