This upcoming Sunday, the people of Venezuela will hold an election that, if legitimate, would put an end to years of the oppressive Maduro narco-regime. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued a statement in support of the Venezuelan people: “The...
NOTICIAS
Últimas Noticias
Rubio: “La Tenacidad y Valentía del Pueblo venezolano Estarán a la Vista”
Este próximo domingo, el pueblo venezolano tendrá una elección que, de ser legítima, pondría fin a años de opresión por parte del narco-régimen de Maduro. El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) grabó un mensaje de video en español y emitió una declaración en...
Rubio, Scott, Colleagues to Biden Admin: No Privileges Should Be Given to 9/11 Terrorist
Twenty-three years ago, the United States was attacked by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001. Now, Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person convicted in a U.S. court for his role in the attack, has requested the U.S. Department of Justice to allow a prisoner transfer...
Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Ensuring Continuity in Veterans’ Health Act
As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) opens up new facilities, many veterans are losing access to the VA’s Community Care Program and, consequently, their long-term healthcare providers. Veterans throughout the country have reported a loss of care, including...
Rubio Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S.-India Security Partnership
The U.S.-India partnership is vital to countering influences from Communist China. In order to strengthen this partnership, it is essential to enhance our strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)...
Rubio Urges DoD To Restore Tyndall F-22 Raptors Damaged During Hurricane Michael
Miami, FL –Today, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, urging the Air Force to repair and restore the F-22 Raptors damaged in Hurricane Michael to mission capable status as soon as possible. Rubio underscored the need for improving the state of readiness across the fifth-generation fleet, as Tyndall Air Force Base is home to the largest basing of F-22 Raptors in the world.
El full text of the letter .
Dear Secretary Wilson:
Florida’s Tyndall Air Force Base is home to the largest basing of F-22 Raptors in the world where 55 of these advanced platforms are assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing. Earlier this month, as Hurricane Michael approached the Florida panhandle, 31 percent of F-22 aircraft at Tyndall Air Force Base were designated Non-Mission Capable (NMC) and were sheltered in place. While the damage assessment of these remaining aircraft is still underway, the facts are clear that any damage sustained could have been avoided if the NMC rate for the F-22 was lower. This concerning figure highlights the dismal state of readiness across our fifth-generation fleet.
As you know, the unique combination of advanced stealth and maneuvering capabilities make the F-22 Raptor the world’s best air superiority fighter aircraft. As the threat from near-peer competitors continues to evolve and grow, this aircraft is vital to the U.S. military’s ability to defeat high-end adversaries. In 2002, the Air Force identified a requirement for 381 F-22 fighter aircraft but this amount was cut in half by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in an effort to stem further budget cuts to the Pentagon. Now with a force of 186 of these fifth-generation aircraft, this significantly smaller than planned inventory has resulted in maintenance and supply challenges that have affected aircraft availability rates.
In September, Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, requested all critical aviation platforms, which includes the F-22 to achieve a minimum of 80 percent mission capability for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. As you finalize damage assessments of the aircraft that endured Hurricane Michael, I urge you to begin implementation of the framework laid out by Secretary Mattis starting with all Tyndall AFB fighter aircraft. Additionally, I ask you waste no time or effort in providing a supplemental funding request to Congress to repair and restore these aircraft to mission capable status as soon as possible.
I am confident close coordination between Congress and the Air Force will enable us to accomplish the priority of ensuring our air superiority aircraft meet this mission capable goal. I look forward to working with you to accomplish this.
Atentamente,