The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a measure that will extend the military’s A-10 jet program for another year. The proposal is co-sponsored by Arizona Rep. Ron Barber who wants to keep the jet flying at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
Barber’s amendment to protect the A-10 from retirement was added to the nearly $600 billion National Defense Authorization Act. His proposal passed the U. S. House on Thursday by a vote of 300-114. Barber told his fellow Congress members the A-10 is needed to protect U.S. ground troops fighting in Afghanistan.
"We simply cannot allow the A-10 to be grounded. We cannot afford to lose the knowledge and expertise of the pilots that fly this aircraft like those stationed in my home district at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,” Barber said.
The A-10 was targeted in Pentagon budget cuts as part of federal sequestration last year and the new F-35 jet fighter is being phased in to replace it.
But Barber, who is running for re-election, said the A-10 is important to southern Arizona’s economy and Davis-Monthan contributes $1 billion to the Tucson area each year.