Fleming Statement on Proposed Elimination of Barksdale A-10 Squadron
Washington, D.C.,
Feb 3, 2012 -
Congressman John Fleming, M.D., (LA-4) released the following statement in response to force structure changes proposed today by the Obama Administration:
“As part of a wide-ranging plan to reduce its total aircraft inventory, the Obama administration intends to propose in its fiscal year 2013 budget request the elimination of 24 A-10C aircraft that comprise the Air Force Reserve's 917th Fighter Group at Barksdale Air ForceBase. Reductions at four other A-10 installations were also proposed, and are part of a broader plan to eliminate nearly 300 aircraft in the coming years. It is expected that over 60 installations across the country could be affected as a result of these actions.
“National defense should be the most important priority of the federal government, but those priorities have been turned on their heads by the Obama Administration’s record deficits. While the president has spent recklessly on failures like Solyndra and bailing out labor unions to the tune of tens of billions of dollars, he has consistently targeted the military to bear the brunt of his spending binge. The president is content to lay off troops in the face of persistently high unemployment, and undermine our military's capabilities at a time of rising global insecurity. These are not acceptable polices, and I will continue to oppose them, as I did last summer, and his irresponsible defense spending cuts.
“Congress must still weigh in on this proposal, and from my position on the House Armed Services Committee, I will work throughout this year’s budget process to make the case for strong defenses. For nearly 80 years the Air Force and the Shreveport-Bossier community have enjoyed a strong partnership. The Air Force's commitment to Global Strike Command and the long-range bomber force affirms that Barksdale will continue to be one of the Air Force's premier installations for years to come."
Details on the proposed force structure changes can be read here.
Dr. John Fleming is Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He is a physician and small business owner and represents the 4th Congressional District of Louisiana.
