Defense bill allows the Air Force to put A-10s into ‘inventory status’

A compromise policy bill set to pass Congress this month gives the Defense Department a way to cut back on A-10 planes, angering lawmakers who oppose the aircraft’s grounding.

While the joint defense policy prohibits the Air Force from retiring the aircraft for one year, it permits the service to move up to 36 “Warthogs” into back-up inventory status. That would keep the planes active but reduce their flying time, pending a review by the Pentagon and the Defense secretary.

The bill also allows the Air Force to move maintenance personnel from the A-10 program to other efforts.

{mosads}The Air Force proposed retiring its A-10 fleet to cut costs, but lawmakers in both chambers rejected the plan when they drafted their versions of the fiscal 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Supporters of the A-10 said the fight is far from over.

“I was disappointed that this was in the final package,” Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) told reporters on Wednesday. “I think there was very clear message from both the House and the Senate.”

Ayotte, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said that while she is pleased the bill still blocks the Air Force from doing away with the fighter jet, “the language that came out of both committees was much stronger and I would have preferred it.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-.S.C.) said he can “live with” the proposed bargain for now.

“I think the final language is the result of compromise but … in January 2015 the debate begins anew,” he told reporters, referring to when Republicans take control of the Senate.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the incoming chairman of the Armed Services panel, has been a staunch supporter of the plane, which is a cash cow in his home state.

“To those who think this A-10 fight is over, you got another thing coming,” Graham said. “The Air Force better be ready and able to answer some hard questions next year.”

Graham said observers should expect a “full-throated assault on the Air Force’s position regarding the A-10” and its arguments that the attack plane’s close air support mission can be carried out by other platforms, such as the B-1 bomber.

Retiring Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said he was “satisfied” with the A-10 provision bill, labeling it a “fair approach.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe (Okla.), the panel’s top Republican, described the A-10 portion of the joint bill as a “good compromise”

However, he predicted, the Air Force will try to retire the A-10 again in a year.

“Then it’s McCain’s problem,” he quipped.

Asked if she was worried the Pentagon would attempt to mothball the aircraft again next year, Ayotte replied: “Oh, no doubt.”