Support for the A-10 and Close Air Support

Floor Speech

Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the A-10 and close air support for our warfighters.

Hundreds of brave Americans are alive today because of the performance of the A-10 in Iraq and Afghanistan. I agree with Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno, who said in an SASC hearing, ``The A-10 is the best close air support platform we have today.'' Even Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh has said the A-10 ``is the best airplane in the world at what it does.''

The Air Force should not retire the A-10 before its replacement reaches full operational capability. Otherwise, it will result in a close air support gap that will put our ground troops at increased risk.

There is no greater responsibility than ensuring our men and women in uniform have the support they need to accomplish their missions and return home safely. Premature divestment of the A-10 by the Air Force would create a dangerous close air support capability gap that could unnecessarily endanger American servicemembers in future conflicts.

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