The Air National Guard combat air forces consist of 25 wings across the US with 19 wings primarily operate aging legacy F-15C/Ds and pre-block F-16s. The age of the legacy fleet coupled with additional wear on airframes due to increased mission requirements result in platforms which are extended past their serviceable life. Without replacement, 12 Air National Guard fighter squadrons are at risk of losing their airframes and flying missions in the next five years. The remaining seven wings are slated to transition to post-block F-16s transferred to the Air National Guard from the active component. Each of these units are at risk of divestment as the total Air Force continues to divest legacy aircraft. The Air National Guard has a unique dual mission, serving as the primary combat reserve for the Air Force and performing the vital mission of defending the homeland. Over the last 30 years, the Nation has relied on the Air National Guard to shift from a strategic reserve to an operational force meeting the high operational tempo of continuous redeployments abroad. Air National Guard fighter units represent 21% of the total Air Force, 30% of USAF combat power, and 94% of homeland defense. Despite the increased operational tempo ANG fighter units only take up 7% of the total Air Force’s budget.

The Air Force has not provided a reliable recapitalization plan to replace Air National Guard legacy aircraft, risking divestment of these wings and losing combat power of the total Air Force. Loss of critical fighter capacity significantly decreases the Nation’s ability to deter strategic attacks and aggression against the United States, Allies, and Partners. The total Air Force will lose highly skilled and experienced pilots and sustainment personnel with the permanent loss of Air National Guard fighter units, impacting our nation’s surge-to-war capabilities. To maintain combat capacity and retention of highly experienced pilots and sustainment personnel, there must accelerated recapitalization of all ANG Fighter units with new-build fighters. NGAUS recommends including language in the FY24 NDAA to prohibit the divestiture of ANG fighter aircraft with subsequent language and defense appropriations requests in FY25 seeking one-for-one platform replacement.