DoD Official Discusses F-15EX Aircraft Transition for National Guard

F-15EX Aircraft Transition

• 🎯 Rep. Pete Aguilar questioned General Steven S. Nordhaus about the delivery of F-15EX aircraft to Fresno, California, expressing concern over potential delays due to recent announcements directing aircraft to Selfridge.
• 💡 General Nordhaus acknowledged the importance of the Fresno unit's mission for Northcom and stated that the Air Force and Air National Guard are working closely to modernize the force and ensure no gaps in the F-15 mission.
• ✈️ The transition from F-15C to F-15EX is described as a quick transition for pilots, with a unit in Portland having 36 pilots, 22 of whom are instructor pilots, demonstrating significant capability.

Pilot Training and Manning

• 🎓 Transitioning pilots from the A-10 to the F-15EX will require a longer, well-planned training program, unlike the quicker transition from F-15C to F-15EX.
• ⚠️ Concerns were raised about potential manning shortfalls across the F-15 enterprise due to the training gap for A-10 pilots transitioning to the F-15EX.
• 🤝 All bases are communicating with the Air National Guard readiness center, passing information up to the Director of the Air National Guard, and working with the Air Force to minimize impacts and gaps during these transitions.

Space National Guard Establishment

• 🚀 General Nordhaus, with prior experience as a Space Commander, discussed the establishment of a Space National Guard.
• 🛰️ He noted that National Guardsmen have been performing space missions for 30 years and that NDAA25 includes the transfer of 578 personnel into the Space Force, with close collaboration ongoing with the Space Force and Air Force on this transition.