WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21) co-led a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. The lawmakers requested the 144^th Fighter Wing of the California Air National Guard receive new F-35 or F-15EX fighter aircraft. The request comes as the Wing’s current F-15C aircraft are nearing their end of service. The letter stresses the local Wing’s importance to U.S. national security given its strategic location near the Pacific.

“Given the essential mission of the 144th Fighter Wing—which aligns with the top priority in the National Defense Strategy of defending the homeland and deterring China—we believe it is imperative to provide it with the most advanced aircraft available,” the lawmakers wrote.

Rep. Valadao was joined in the letter by Senator Dianne Feinstein,  Senator Alex Padilla, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Reps. Jim Costa (CA-16), Connie Conway (CA-22), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Karen Bass (CA-37), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), John Garamendi (CA-03), Tom McClintock (CA-04), and Ken Calvert (CA-42).

Read the full letter here. 

###