[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 11, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H1729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT FOR THE A-10 AND CLOSE AIR SUPPORT

  (Mrs. HARTZLER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. HARTZLER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the 
A-10 and close air support for our warfighters.
  Hundreds of brave Americans are alive today because of the 
performance of the A-10 in Iraq and Afghanistan. I agree with Army 
Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno, who said in an SASC hearing, 
``The A-10 is the best close air support platform we have today.'' Even 
Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh has said the A-10 ``is the 
best airplane in the world at what it does.''
  The Air Force should not retire the A-10 before its replacement 
reaches full operational capability. Otherwise, it will result in a 
close air support gap that will put our ground troops at increased 
risk.
  There is no greater responsibility than ensuring our men and women in 
uniform have the support they need to accomplish their missions and 
return home safely. Premature divestment of the A-10 by the Air Force 
would create a dangerous close air support capability gap that could 
unnecessarily endanger American servicemembers in future conflicts.

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