Sec. 333 — Requirements relating to sustainment of A–10 aircraft and related training
TL;DR
Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on requirements relating to sustainment of a–10 aircraft and related training not later than March 1.
Statutory text
(a) Limitation on relocation of A—10 training unitThe Secretary of the Air Force may not relocate the formal training unit of the Air Force for providing to pilots the qualifications necessary for the operation of A—10 aircraft, including by reassigning the primary training activities carried out by such unit to another military installation, unless—(1)the Secretary submits to the congressional defense committees an analysis comparing the costs and benefits of such relocation versus preserving the unit at its current location; and(2)a period of 90 days has elapsed following the date of such submission.
(b) Sustainment requirements
(1) In general. The Secretary of the Air Force shall maintain, as necessary, sufficient training capacity, development, test, and evaluation capacity, depot-level maintenance and repair capacity, supply, logistics, and contractor capacity, and other sustainment-related capacity to ensure the A—10 fleet remains operationally viable through fiscal year 2030, including with respect to each mission and capability of such fleet as of the date of the enactment of this Act (including combat search and rescue missions).
(2) Formal training unit. In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall, as necessary, maintain a formal training unit of the Air Force for providing to pilots the qualifications necessary for the operation of A—10 aircraft, and a process for the requalification of pilots formerly so qualified.
(3) Budget materials. Concurrent with the submission to Congress of a budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2030, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the amounts necessary to implement this subsection.
(c) Annual briefing on A—10 sustainment
(1) Annual briefing. Not later than March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter until March 1, 2030, the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing describing the extent to which the Department of the Air Force met the requirements under subsection (b) during the preceding fiscal year.
(2) Elements. Each briefing required under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following:(A)An identification of the number of pilots that received the qualifications necessary for the operation of A—10 aircraft during the preceding fiscal year, disaggregated by whether such qualifications were an initial qualification or a requalification.(B)An identification of the number of officers that received advanced instructor qualifications through the weapons instructor course for A—10 aircraft offered through the United States Air Force Weapons School, disaggregated by whether such qualifications were an initial qualification or a requalification.(C)A description of the status of actions taken to meet the requirement under subsection
(b) (2) during the preceding fiscal year, and any related instructor shortfalls.(D)A description of the status of operational test and evaluation capacity with respect to the A—10 fleet, including major limitations affecting airworthiness, weapons integration, tactics development, or mission effectiveness. (E)The status of programmed depot-level maintenance and repair with respect to A—10 aircraft or related infrastructure, and any resulting effect on the ability of the Department to meet the requirements under subsection (b).(F)The status of logistics, supply, contractor maintenance, and other sustainment functions for the A—10 fleet, and any resulting effect on the ability of the Department to meet the requirements under subsection (b).(G)An assessment as to whether the Department met the requirements under subsection (b) during the preceding fiscal year.(H)A description of any shortfall, delay, or other deviation resulting in a failure to meet any such requirement, including any corrective action planned or underway.
(d) Roadmap for A—10 fleet sustainment
(1) Roadmap required. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a roadmap setting forth proposed actions to meet the requirements under subsection (b).
(2) Briefing. Not later than 15 days after the date of the submission of the roadmap under paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Air Force shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on such roadmap and any anticipated material shortfall in meeting a requirement under subsection (b).
(3) Annual updates. Not later than one year after the date of the submission of the roadmap under paragraph (1), and annually thereafter until September 30, 2030, the Secretary of the Air Force shall submit to the congressional defense committees a written update to such roadmap.
(e) Program to preserve knowledge and history relating to A—10 aircraft
(1) Establishment. The Secretary of the Air Force shall establish a program to preserve technical and historical knowledge relating to the operation and sustainment of the A—10 fleet.
(2) Lead entity. The Director of the Air Force Historical Research Agency shall serve as the lead entity carrying out the program under paragraph (1), in coordination with the Commander of the Air Combat Command, the head of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and such other organizations of the Department of the Air Force as the Secretary of the Air Force determines appropriate.
(3) Required activities. The program established under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum the following activities:(A)The collection of oral histories relating to the A—10 fleet from pilots, advanced instructor-qualified aircrew, maintainers, joint terminal attack controllers, and other personnel involved in the operation (including operational support for combat search and rescue missions) or sustainment of aircraft within such fleet.(B)The collection and preservation of records associated with the A—10 fleet, including technical data, operational tactics, we