Sam Graves Amendment Protecting C-130H Aircraft Adopted into Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves' amendment protecting the fleet of C-130H aircraft was adopted into law on Wednesday when President Obama signed the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment, which authorized $10 million toward the Air Force's plan to modernize and preserve the aircraft, was included in multiple versions of this year's NDAA bills that passed both the House and Senate.

"For decades, the C-130H has been a critical component of National Guard units across the country, particularly in St. Joe," Rep. Graves said. "The aircraft provides tactical support to our troops on the ground, protecting them from enemies and allowing them to more safely and effectively execute the missions that are critical to our national defense."

"The Air Force has been taking positive steps to modernize the C-130H, but its initial plan did not move quickly enough," Rep. Graves continued. "Modernizing this fleet not only protects Air National Guard units across the country, but it ensures the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joe will continue to benefit from the aircraft for decades to come. I am grateful to see my amendment – and the overall National Defense Authorization Bill – signed into law by the President."

BACKGROUND: The Air Force last year began initiating a plan to move forward on modernizing its Air National Guard C-130 H-model fleet. Rep. Graves' amendment, which passed through the House of Representatives with the underlying bill with bipartisan support, would authorize $10 million for the continued development of the Air Force's modernization plan. Specifically, it will expedite the process and ensure all C-130H aircraft meet all airspace requirements by 2020, and that the fleet undergoes necessary modernization upgrades in a timely manner.

The overall bill authorizes pay and benefits for our troops; creates a new portable retirement system for uniformed military; begins reforming the Pentagon to restore agility; requires President Obama to submit a concrete strategy to defeat ISIL; and carries a bipartisan prohibition on the transfer of GTMO detainees to the United States.

###