U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, today applauded House passage of H.R. 1735, the "National Defense Authorization Act," which included $50 million to upgrade radar systems of the nation's F-16 fleet, including those stationed at the 177th Air National Guard Fighter Wing in Egg Harbor Township.
"Air National Guard units across the country are often tasked to do more to secure our homeland without being given the most current resources available. With this $50 million investment, the F-16 fleet will be upgraded to detect and deter present-day threats -- a critical function for the 177th Fighter Wing who patrols the skies from New York City to Washington, DC and beyond," said LoBiondo. "From expanding the physical footprint and operational capabilities of the base to ensuring the latest technology is deployed, I will continue to work with the men and women at the 177th to ensure they have all the resources they need to successfully complete their mission."
Under the NDAA, $50 million is being allocated for active electronically scanned array radar (AESA) systems to replace the existing 1970s technology. The new radar system will help to better detect the evolving threat picture, identify new potential threats that current technology cannot, and allow greater capabilities to the Air National Guard F-16 fleet for national security efforts. F-16 aircraft that perform the Aerospace Control Alert (ACA) mission are slated to receive the upgrades.
"NGAUS applauds the leadership of Representative LoBiondo in highlighting the critical necessity of AESA radar upgrades for the Air National Guard F-16 fleet. We thank him for his tireless work in ensuring the Air National Guard remains properly equipped in order to keep our nation safe," said Major General (Retired) Gus Hargett, President National Guard Association of the United States.
Also included in the House-approved NDAA is LoBiondo's amendment expressing Congress' opposition to "Paid-For Patriotism." According to news reports, the Department of Defense has paid at least $5.4 million from 2011 to 2014 to fourteen (14) teams of the National Football League (NFL) for advertising unrelated to recruiting and retaining individuals for the Armed Forces, including patriotic salutes and tributes. The so-called "Paid-For Patriotism" was represented by the sports team as a selfless act rather than a paid advertisement at taxpayer expense. The House unanimously disagreed with this practice:
It is the sense of Congress that (1) while recruitment and advertising in support of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, is appropriate, the taxpayer should not have to pay any organization to honor the service of members of the Armed Forces; (2) instead of being paid by the Department of Defense to honor the service of members of the Armed Forces, these organizations should be motivated by patriotism to honor the service of members of the Armed Forces out of their own free will; and (3) any funds that the Department of Defense would have used for purposes described should be redirected toward post-traumatic stress disorder research and treatment for members of the Armed Forces.
Earlier this week LoBiondo announced $10.2 million in federal funding for the 177th Fighter Wing's new Fuel Cell & Corrosion Hangar facility that will replace the two current inadequate buildings in a combined structure. The new facility would increase production capability while providing the ability to handle 5th generation F-16s. The funding was included in the House-passed "Fiscal Year 2016 Military Construction -- Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act".