Congress of the United States ‘Washington, BE 20515 November 24, 2014 ‘The Honorable John McHugh Secretary ofthe Army 101 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0101 Dear Secretary McHugh: ‘As Arizona’s Congressional delegation, we write out of concer forthe mission readiness ofthe ‘Arizona National Guard. Both the Senate and House versions ofthe 2015 National Defense ‘Authorization Act provide for the continued AH-64 Apache flying mission within the National Guard and pauses the wholesale transfer of Apache helicopters to the Active Component However, the programmed exclusion of Army National Guard pilots from AH-64 Apache Initial Entry Rotary Wing training at Fort Rucker, Alabama as early as FY2016 contradicts Congress’ intent forthe National Guard to retain its AH-64 flying mission by denying plots the ability to train at Fort Rucker. Although the federal government is curently operating under a Continuing Resolution, itis Congress" intent forthe National Guard to maintain the proficiency of is airerews and ensure readiness. The 2015 NDAA specifically provides forthe National Commission on the Future of the Army to assess the Army’s active and reserve component size and force structure, and freezes National Guard end-strength levels until completion of a Comptroller General study. ‘Therefore, unilateral action by the Army to reduce the number of National Guard Apache pilots jis premature considering the NDAA levitation curently in conference. During this period, itis ‘essential that Army National Guard pilots retain access to traning st Fort Rucker, ‘Thank you for your consideration inthis matter. KS op Jen Rae lah ke meByelatte Loh 0 Moon “Member of Congress “Member of Congress fatt Salmon, David Schweikert ‘Member of Congres Member of Congress. Fd Pastor Trent “Member of Congress Member of Congress, Kyrsten Sn Member of Congress. ce: Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defence GEN Raymond T. Odiemo, Army Chief of Staff