Readiness Chairman Garamendi Issues Statement Following Air Force's Basing Decisions for C-130 Aircraft

Statement

Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), Chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, issued the following statement after the Air Force announced its strategic basing decisions for Air National Guard C-130J aircraft:

"The Air Force's basing decision process has historically been an objective, deliberative, and thorough process that transcends partisan politics," Garamendi said. "Sadly, that does not appear to be the standard that was met with the Air Force's C-130J basing decisions that were announced Tuesday. The Air Force's decision to announce a fourth site in Georgia not only deviates from the original plan of selecting three locations but is also dependent on additional aircraft being authorized and appropriated by Congress. This announcement preempts the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and appropriations conference negotiations in Congress and intertwines the Air Force's basing decision with two run-off Senate races in Georgia. . The questionable timing and irregular process has undermined my confidence that this decision was made objectively and without political influence.

"I strongly urge the Air Force to rescind this decision and delay this announcement until January. Doing so will allow the Air Force to make its decision until after conference negotiations have been completed and remove itself from the Georgia runoffs and other politically charged circumstances," Garamendi concluded.

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