A senator from Oregon says he is standing up for the nation’s air sovereignty and the strength of Oregon’s Air National Guard.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden says he has written a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Bruce Donley objecting to rumored plans for early retirement of more than 300 fighter aircraft up to 11 years ahead of schedule.
Plans were in place to begin a phased retirement of these fighter aircraft beginning in 2014, but news reports are circulating that Air Force officials are considering eliminating the aircraft from their fleet as soon as 2010.
"I must voice my objections to any plan that could negatively impact the National Guard’s vital air sovereignty mission…," wrote Wyden.
"While many of the aircraft assigned to those units need to be replaced, this must be done only when replacement aircraft are ready to continue the mission. To do otherwise would be tantamount to eliminating this crucial mission and the critical safeguard it provides."
Wyden says he has long been an advocate for keeping our nation’s air defense strong and for Oregon’s Air National Guard, which is vital to both our country and the state. He successfully fought to save Oregon’s 142nd Fighter Wing during the most recent base closure and realignment process.
In today’s letter, Wyden asked Gates and Donley for details of their plans to replace the aircraft in question and the Secretaries’ proposed timeline for the aircrafts’ replacement.
Here is a link to Wyden't letter: Wyden letter to the U.S. Senate.
Salem-News.com has followed the issues relating to the F-15 and the Oregon National Guard. Here are several links to F-15 related articles:
Oregon Pilots Airborne Again in the F-15 Jet Fighter
Some F-15's Grounded Over Recent Crash
Future of F-15 Discussed by Air Force Officials
Memorial Service for Oregon F-15 Pilot Greg Young
F-15 Jet Fighter Flyovers Scheduled for Monday
Exclusive- Oregon National Guard Fighter Pilot Promoted to General
Wyden Objects to Potential Loss of Critical Fighter AircraftSalem-News.com