Senator Stabenow Statement on Senate Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today issued the following statement regarding the passage of the nation's defense authorization bill, which outlines defense priorities and prevents the retirement of the A-10 Warthog. The Obama Administration called for the retirement of the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet, which is operated by the 127th Wing located at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Earlier this year, Senator Stabenow sent letters to President Obama and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense requesting full funding of the A-10 program.

"The A-10 Warthog protects our men and women in uniform and is critically important to our country's national security and Michigan's economy. Just last month, 350 Airmen and 12 A-10s from Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan were deployed to the Middle East to fight ISIL. I am pleased this bill keeps the A-10 Warthog flying to defend our country while supporting military families in Michigan."

More than 4,000 full-time civilian and military personnel work at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The base contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to Michigan's economy each year.