In order to avoid a dangerous close air support (CAS) capability gap that would put our ground forces in additional danger in future conflicts, we need to limit or stop the retirement of A-10 Thunderbolt aircraft from Air Force inventory until the F-35A achieves Full Operational Capability (FOC). It is that the Air Force plans to retire prematurely the A-10, leaving our military with a capability gap.

The A-10 plays an essential role in helping our ground forces and special operators accomplish their missions and return home safely. In a November 7, 2013 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, General Raymond Odierno, the Army Chief of Staff, said, “The A- 10 is the best close air support platform we have today.. .it’s performed incredibly well in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our soldiers are very confident in the system.”

In fact, a July 2013 mission in Afghanistan highlights the unique capability of the A- 10. The A-10 crew were credited with saving the lives of 60 Americans during the “danger- close” engagement - one requiring a fully operational aircraft with advanced weapons and properly trained aircrews. The A-10 can operate closer to the fight with faster re-attack times and deliver precision weapons to help reduce the risk of civilian casualties.

During the November 7 hearing, General Mark Welsh, the Air Force Chief of Staff, said that the F-35A would not reach FOC until 2021. I am concerned the Air Force plans to divest fully the A-10 before the F-35A reaches its full capability. This CAS capability gap would put our soldiers on the ground at greater risk. We should limit the retirement of the A- 10 until the Air Force certifies that it has a sufficient number of fully operational F-35A aircraft to replace the A-10.

As we draw down the war in Afghanistan, we must avoid dangerous cuts to our combat capabilities that will endanger the members of our volunteer force. We have learned this lesson in the past at a great cost. I believe the plan to divest the A-10 fleet is based on the assumption that our military will not be fighting wars like Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in the future. It also assumes that other aircraft in the Air Force inventory can replace the CAS capabilities of the A-10. The F-15, F-16, B-l and B-52 are incredibly effective aircraft, yet none of these aircraft can fully replace the CAS capabilities of the A-10.