[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4027 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4027
To recognize the historical achievements, the ongoing service, and to
make a priority recapitalization of the frontline and surge fighter
forces at active-duty Air Force bases.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 17, 2025
Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Edwards) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed
Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To recognize the historical achievements, the ongoing service, and to
make a priority recapitalization of the frontline and surge fighter
forces at active-duty Air Force bases.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Frontline Fighter Force First Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Ensuring that the United States military remains the
strongest fighting force in the world requires a highly mission
capable frontline fighter fleet across fourth, fifth, and next-
generation platforms.
(2) In particular, fighter wings that deploy at least 50
percent of the time, including the 335th operational squadron
at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, are on the frontlines of the
fight for freedom.
(3) At the same time, with declining mission capable rates,
including 55 percent for the F-15E fleet, prioritizing
recapitalization of legacy aircraft with aging equipment and
engines like the Block 220 F-15Es must be a priority for the
U.S. Air Force. By recapitalizing active-duty bases with
upgraded fourth generation aircraft like the F-15EX to replace
the legacy fleet, the U.S. can fulfill its mission to sustain
optimal mission readiness.
(4) Further, that recognizing the historical contributions
of Strike Eagle aircraft at a time when they continue to
deliver unmatched payload capability and range in active
theaters, including CENTCOM, is a high congressional priority.
(5) F-15E aircraft can carry up to 12 unique missiles, an
unrivaled combination of heavy payload and long range with
stealth capability.
(6) Since their first combat flight, F-15Es boast an
undefeated 104-0 winning record in Air-to-Air missions across
the Persian Gulf, Iraqi, and counterterrorism operations in the
CENTCOM AOR.
(7) During the Iraq War, F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour
Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, played a
significant role, deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(8) Then, on April 13, 2024, with only 24 hours to prepare
ahead of an unprecedented ballistic missile attack from Iran,
airmen from the 335th operational squadron, under command of
the 4th Fighter Wing based at Seymour Johnson deployed in four
F-15Es that alone intercepted more than two dozen of the one-
way attack drones fired at Israel and U.S. military personnel
based in the region. They defended our coalition partners,
including Israel, embodying the true essence of service.
(9) To commemorate their courage, General Ken Wilsbach,
commander of Air Combat Command, awarded airmen from the 4th
Fighter Wing high-level decorations during a ceremony at
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The airmen were recognized for
their rapid response and valiant performance in the largest
air-to-air engagement in over 50 years. Those heroes, receiving
well-deserved decorations and surrounded by their families,
have rightfully earned our nation's deep gratitude. To fighter
pilots, maintainers, and all airmen that keep the F-15E fleet
alive and well, Congress must continue to uplift the power of
the E platform, including upgraded F-15EX fighters.
SEC. 3. RECAPITALIZATION OF AIR FORCE ACTIVE DUTY FRONTLINE FIGHTER
FORCE.
(a) Procurement of Fighter Aircraft.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Air Force shall take
such steps as may be necessary to ensure the continued
production and procurement of at least one model of advanced
capability fighter aircraft until the date on which the
Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees
that the Secretary has replaced all legacy capability fighter
aircraft within each Air Combat Command Fighter Wing with an
advanced capability fighter aircraft, with replacements made
sequentially, starting with fighter squadrons that deploy at
least 30 percent of the time.
(2) Contracts.--For purposes of fulfilling the requirements
of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) seek to enter into a contract for the
procurement of advanced capability fighter aircraft; or
(B) modify a contract to provide for the
procurement of additional advanced capability fighter
aircraft.
(3) Gao review and report.--
(A) Review.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a review of advanced capability
fighter aircraft. Such review shall include--
(i) an assessment of any challenges to the
procurement of such aircraft by the Secretary;
and
(ii) recommendations on how to solve such
challenges.
(B) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General shall provide to the congressional defense
committees a briefing on the preliminary findings of
the review conducted under subparagraph (A).
(C) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the
Comptroller General provides a briefing under
subparagraph (B), the Comptroller General shall submit
to the congressional defense committees a final report
on the review conducted under subparagraph (A).
(4) Report on progress.--Not later than 180 days after the
Comptroller General provides a report under paragraph (3)(C)
and on an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall submit
to the congressional defense committees a report on the
progress of the Secretary in--
(A) implementing the recommendations of the
Comptroller General issued pursuant to paragraph (3);
and
(B) replacing the legacy capability fighter
aircraft within each Air Combat Command Fighter Wing
with an advanced capability fighter aircraft, fifth
generation fighter aircraft, or next-generation air
dominance fighter aircraft.
(b) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) The term ``advanced capability fighter aircraft'' means
a Block 70/72 variant or later variant of the F-16 fighter
aircraft, an F-15EX fighter aircraft, an F-35 fighter aircraft,
an F-47 fighter aircraft, any future variant of such fighter
aircraft, or any other more advanced capability fighter
aircraft identified by the Secretary.
(2) The term ``congressional defense committees'' has the
meaning given such term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10,
United States Code.
(3) The term ``covered Air Combat Command Fighter Wing''
means any fighter unit of the Air Force with respect to which
the Secretary has not commenced or completed the process of
replacing the legacy capability fighter aircraft of such unit
with advanced capability fighter aircraft or fifth generation
aircraft as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(4) The term ``fifth generation'' has the meaning given
such term in section 154(d)(2) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159).
(5) The term ``fighter aircraft'' has the meaning given
such term in section 9062(i)(2) of title 10, United States
Code.
(6) The term ``legacy capability fighter aircraft'' has the
meaning given such term in section 154(d)(4) of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
159).
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