Carper Statement on House Passage of Measure to Protect the Delaware Air National Guard

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives approved language that allows the Delaware Air National Guard and Reserve’s C-130s to be modernized to be compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) requirements in the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“I’m very pleased that the House has passed legislation that will put the Delaware Air National Guard on a path toward the modernization of C-130 aircrafts in a more cost-effective and efficient way. While no legislation is perfect, this agreement reflects years of hard work and bipartisan compromise that will allow the Air Force to upgrade its badly outdated fleet while saving taxpayer dollars. Just as important, it will allow the Delaware Air National Guard to continue its critical flying mission. In an era of shrinking budgets, we need to figure out how to do more with less without sacrificing results. This compromise does just that. I thank the leaders of the Armed Services Committee for including this language in the National Defense Authorization Act and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to pass this critical bill.”

The Guard’s fleet of more than 180 C-130H aircraft will require avionics upgrades in order to comply with FAA mandates by 2020. The language included in the NDAA will give the Air Force the option to modernize the planes cost effectively, instead of replacing them with newer models. This could help protect the Delaware National Guard’s flying mission and the jobs that go along with it. The Senate is expected to approve the legislation before adjourning.