Amendment Would Allow A-10 Jets To Continue Fying At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
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A-10 attack aircraft could continue flying temporarily at Tucson’s Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. A key committee has approved a measure by Arizona Congressman Ron Barber that would extend A-10 funding for another year.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel wants to retire the A-10 to reduce military spending. But, Tucson officials are worried that would be a major blow to Davis-Monthan, where the jets are based. Tucson’s mayor said the base contributes a billion dollars a year to southern Arizona’s economy. Barber said the A-10s, which were designed to support ground troops, should stay online until the Air Force’s new F-35 fighters are ready to go.
"This is a proven platform to protect our troops in battle. In Afghanistan the troops told me keep the A-10 flying. There’s no other fixed wing aircraft that does the job that the A-10 can do” Barber told Congress.
The House Armed Services committee passed Barber’s amendment Wednesday night by a vote of 41-to-20. Opponents said funding the A-10 takes money away from other defense operations that include pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan next year.
