H.R. 4027

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4027 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4027

To recognize the historical achievements, the ongoing service, and to 
make a priority recapitalization of the frontline and surge fighter 
forces at active-duty Air Force bases.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 17, 2025

Mr. Davis of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Edwards) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed 
Services

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To recognize the historical achievements, the ongoing service, and to 
make a priority recapitalization of the frontline and surge fighter 
forces at active-duty Air Force bases.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Frontline Fighter Force First Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Ensuring that the United States military remains the 
strongest fighting force in the world requires a highly mission 
capable frontline fighter fleet across fourth, fifth, and next-
generation platforms.
(2) In particular, fighter wings that deploy at least 50 
percent of the time, including the 335th operational squadron 
at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, are on the frontlines of the 
fight for freedom.
(3) At the same time, with declining mission capable rates, 
including 55 percent for the F-15E fleet, prioritizing 
recapitalization of legacy aircraft with aging equipment and 
engines like the Block 220 F-15Es must be a priority for the 
U.S. Air Force. By recapitalizing active-duty bases with 
upgraded fourth generation aircraft like the F-15EX to replace 
the legacy fleet, the U.S. can fulfill its mission to sustain 
optimal mission readiness.
(4) Further, that recognizing the historical contributions 
of Strike Eagle aircraft at a time when they continue to 
deliver unmatched payload capability and range in active 
theaters, including CENTCOM, is a high congressional priority.
(5) F-15E aircraft can carry up to 12 unique missiles, an 
unrivaled combination of heavy payload and long range with 
stealth capability.
(6) Since their first combat flight, F-15Es boast an 
undefeated 104-0 winning record in Air-to-Air missions across 
the Persian Gulf, Iraqi, and counterterrorism operations in the 
CENTCOM AOR.
(7) During the Iraq War, F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour 
Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, played a 
significant role, deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(8) Then, on April 13, 2024, with only 24 hours to prepare 
ahead of an unprecedented ballistic missile attack from Iran, 
airmen from the 335th operational squadron, under command of 
the 4th Fighter Wing based at Seymour Johnson deployed in four 
F-15Es that alone intercepted more than two dozen of the one-
way attack drones fired at Israel and U.S. military personnel 
based in the region. They defended our coalition partners, 
including Israel, embodying the true essence of service.
(9) To commemorate their courage, General Ken Wilsbach, 
commander of Air Combat Command, awarded airmen from the 4th 
Fighter Wing high-level decorations during a ceremony at 
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The airmen were recognized for 
their rapid response and valiant performance in the largest 
air-to-air engagement in over 50 years. Those heroes, receiving 
well-deserved decorations and surrounded by their families, 
have rightfully earned our nation's deep gratitude. To fighter 
pilots, maintainers, and all airmen that keep the F-15E fleet 
alive and well, Congress must continue to uplift the power of 
the E platform, including upgraded F-15EX fighters.

SEC. 3. RECAPITALIZATION OF AIR FORCE ACTIVE DUTY FRONTLINE FIGHTER 
FORCE.

(a) Procurement of Fighter Aircraft.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Air Force shall take 
such steps as may be necessary to ensure the continued 
production and procurement of at least one model of advanced 
capability fighter aircraft until the date on which the 
Secretary certifies to the congressional defense committees 
that the Secretary has replaced all legacy capability fighter 
aircraft within each Air Combat Command Fighter Wing with an 
advanced capability fighter aircraft, with replacements made 
sequentially, starting with fighter squadrons that deploy at 
least 30 percent of the time.
(2) Contracts.--For purposes of fulfilling the requirements 
of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) seek to enter into a contract for the 
procurement of advanced capability fighter aircraft; or
(B) modify a contract to provide for the 
procurement of additional advanced capability fighter 
aircraft.
(3) Gao review and report.--
(A) Review.--The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a review of advanced capability 
fighter aircraft. Such review shall include--
(i) an assessment of any challenges to the 
procurement of such aircraft by the Secretary; 
and
(ii) recommendations on how to solve such 
challenges.
(B) Briefing.--Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General shall provide to the congressional defense 
committees a briefing on the preliminary findings of 
the review conducted under subparagraph (A).
(C) Report.--Not later than 30 days after the 
Comptroller General provides a briefing under 
subparagraph (B), the Comptroller General shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a final report 
on the review conducted under subparagraph (A).
(4) Report on progress.--Not later than 180 days after the 
Comptroller General provides a report under paragraph (3)(C) 
and on an annual basis thereafter, the Secretary shall submit 
to the congressional defense committees a report on the 
progress of the Secretary in--
(A) implementing the recommendations of the 
Comptroller General issued pursuant to paragraph (3); 
and
(B) replacing the legacy capability fighter 
aircraft within each Air Combat Command Fighter Wing 
with an advanced capability fighter aircraft, fifth 
generation fighter aircraft, or next-generation air 
dominance fighter aircraft.
(b) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) The term ``advanced capability fighter aircraft'' means 
a Block 70/72 variant or later variant of the F-16 fighter 
aircraft, an F-15EX fighter aircraft, an F-35 fighter aircraft, 
an F-47 fighter aircraft, any future variant of such fighter 
aircraft, or any other more advanced capability fighter 
aircraft identified by the Secretary.
(2) The term ``congressional defense committees'' has the 
meaning given such term in section 101(a)(16) of title 10, 
United States Code.
(3) The term ``covered Air Combat Command Fighter Wing'' 
means any fighter unit of the Air Force with respect to which 
the Secretary has not commenced or completed the process of 
replacing the legacy capability fighter aircraft of such unit 
with advanced capability fighter aircraft or fifth generation 
aircraft as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(4) The term ``fifth generation'' has the meaning given 
such term in section 154(d)(2) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159).
(5) The term ``fighter aircraft'' has the meaning given 
such term in section 9062(i)(2) of title 10, United States 
Code.
(6) The term ``legacy capability fighter aircraft'' has the 
meaning given such term in section 154(d)(4) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-
159).
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