FY24SenateAppropriations 

Committee

Defense AppropriationsAct

(Subcommittee Bill Report)

As of August 3, 2023

Bill Status

Passed in 

Committee

Passed in 

Chamber Final Passage Signed into Law

House 22 June 2023

Senate 27 July 2023
Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................... - 2 -

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PERSONNEL................................................................................................... - 5 -

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE.................................................................. - 5 -

AIR NATIONAL GUARD PERSONNEL ....................................................................................................... - 2 -

AIR NATIONAL GUARD OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE ...................................................................... - 2 -

ITEMS OF INTEREST................................................................................................................................... - 4 -

LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS........................................................................................................................ - 8 -

Executive Summary

This guide provides a short summary of the subcommittee markup for the Senate Fiscal Year 2024

Defense Appropriations Act. To obtain a complete understanding of any particular provision, users 

are encouraged to review the actual legislative language. Bill text and report language can be 

found on the LL website: https://www.nationalguard.mil/leadership/joint-staff/personalstaff/legislative-liaison/.

Status: 

On July 27th, 2023, the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense approved the 

FY24 Defense Appropriations Act, S. 2226. The measure, which was advanced by a bipartisan 

vote of 27-1, provides $831 billion in funding—an increase of $5.1 billion more than the President’s 

FY24 request for the Department of Defense (DOD) and Intelligence Community, the Military 

Services, Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency. 

Highlights: 

• Funds a 5.2% military pay raise

• Funds an end strength of 325,000 for the ARNG and 105,000 for the ANG

• Appropriates $278M for the ARNG and $255M for the ANG in NGREA

• $9.786B for ARNG Personnel, an increase of $3M from the FY24 request

• $5.264B for ANG Personnel, a decrease of $27.5M from the FY24 request

• $8.706B for ARNG O&M, an increase of $23.7M from the FY24 request

• $7.268B for ANG O&M, an increase of $14.9M from the FY24 request

• Provides $211.5M for National Guard Counter-Drug Program, an increase of $109M from 

the FY24 request

• Provides $25.9M for National Guard Counter-Drug Schools, an increase of $20M from the 

FY24 request

• Provides $50M for National Guard Youth Challenge
• Provides $20M request for Starbase

• Provides $840M for 8 additional C-130J aircraft for the ANG

• Provides $1M for Nationwide Integration of Time Resiliency for Operations (NITRO)

• Provides $5M for ARNG Expeditionary Base Modules

• ARNG Personnel increases:

o $8.5M for Wildfire Training

o $8.5M for Exercise Northern Strike

o $8.4M for SPP

o $3.5M for Irregular Warfare Training Exercises

o $3M for Advanced Trauma and Public Health Direct Training Services

o $1M for Army Mountain Warfare School Operations

o $1M for NG Mission Assurance Program

• ARNG O&M increases:

o $60M for FSRM

o $35M for ARNG MQ-1C AATS

o $11.5M for Exercise Northern Strike

o $8M for Mental Health Providers

o $6M for SPP

o $5M for Star Behavioral Health Program

o $3.5M for Irregular Warfare Training Exercises

o $2.6M for Aqueous Film Forming Foam Replacement Related Activities

o $2.1M for PFAS Cleanup and Restoration

o $1.9M for Advanced Trauma and Public Health Direct Training Services

o $1.5M for Wildfire Training

o $1M for NG Mission Assurance Program

o $0.8M for Enhanced NG Emergency Satellite Communications Capability

o $0.7M for International Advanced Trauma & Public Health Direct Training Services

• ANG Personnel increases:

o $6M for Wildfire Training 

o $2.8M for Advanced Trauma and Public Health Direct Training Services

o $2.8M for SPP

o $2M for Exercise Northern Strike

• ANG O&M increases:

o $90.9M for Additional Facility Enhancements for Future Foreign Military Pilot 

Training Sites

o $20M for FSRM

o $5M for Mental Health Providers

o $2.5M for SPP

o $2M for Advanced Trauma and Public Health Direct Training Services

o $2M for Training and Equipment for KC-135 Classic Associations

o $1.5M for Wildfire Training

o $0.9M for Repair Hangar Fire Systems
National Guard Accounts Overview 

(All Dollars in Thousands)

Army 

National 

Guard

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24

HAC-D Mark

Delta from 

Request 

FY24

SAC-D 

Mark

Delta from 

Request

FY24 

Conference

ARNG 

Personnel $9,783,569 $9,766,369 -$17,200 $9,783,569 $3,098

ARNG O&M $8,683,104 $8,612,404 -$70,700 $8,706,797 $23,693

NGREA -- $312,000 $312,000 $278,135 $278,135

Air 

National 

Guard

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24

HAC-D Mark

Delta from 

Request 

FY24

SAC-D 

Mark

Delta from 

Request

FY24

Conference

ANG 

Personnel $5,292,425 $5,234,625 -$57,800 $5,264,865 -$27,560

ANG O&M $7,253,694 $7,250,745 -$2,949 $7,268,605 $14,911

NGREA -- $305,000 $305,000 $255,128 $255,128
Army National Guard

Army National Guard Personnel

(All Dollars in Thousands)

ARNG Personnel 

Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24

HAC-D Mark

Delta from 

Request 

FY24

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24

Conference

PAY GROUP A TRAINING 

(15 DAYS & DRILLS 24/48) $2,720,787 $2,720,787 -- $2,720,787 --

PAY GROUP F TRAINING 

(RECRUITS) $600,118 $600,118 -- $600,118 --

PAY GROUP P TRAINING 

(PIPELINE RECRUITS) $60,361 $60,361 -- 60,361 --

SCHOOL TRAINING $591,765 $591,765 -- $592,7655 $1,000

SPECIAL TRAINING $819,779 $837,3791-2 $17,600 $843,2236-11 $23,444

ADMINISTRATION AND 

SUPPORT $4,941,628 $4,941,628 -- $4,941,628 --

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN 

MATCHING 

CONTRIBUTIONS

$38,840 $38,840 -- $38,840 --

EDUCATION BENEFITS $10,291 $10,291 -- $10,291 --

TOTAL, BUDGET ACTIVITY 

1 (BAC-01) $9,783,569 $9,801,169 $17,600 $9,808,013 $24,444

UNDISTRIBUTED 

ADJUSTMENT -- -$34,8003-4 -$34,800 -$21,346 -$21,346

TOTAL, TITLE I, ARNG 

PERSONNEL $9,783,569 $9,766,369 -$17,200 $9,786,667 $3,098

HEALTH CARE 

CONTRIBUTION (RC) $971,647 $971,647 -- $972,000 --

TOTAL, NATIONAL GUARD 

PERSONNEL, ARMY $10,755,216 $10,738,016 -$17,200 10,758,667 $3,098

1. Special Training; Program increase – State Partnership Program $9,100

2. Special Training; Program increase – Northern Strike $8,500

3. Undistributed Adjustment; Historical unobligated balances -$27,000

4. Undistributed Adjustment; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -$7,800

5. School Training; Program increase: Army Mountain Warfare School operations $1,000

6. Special Training; Program increase: Wildfire training $8,500

7. Special Training; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $3,044

8. Special Training; Program increase: Irregular warfare training exercises $3,500

9. Special Training; Undistributed adjustment: Revised budget estimate -$30,846

10. Special Training; Program increase: Exercise Northern Strike $8,500

11. Special Training; Program increase: National Guard Mission Assurance Program $1,000

Army National Guard Operations & Maintenance

ARNG O&M Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24

HAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request 

FY24

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24

Confere

nce

MANEUVER UNITS $925,071 $938,0711 $13,000 $936,5719 $11,500

MODULAR SUPPORT 

BRIGADES $201,781 $201,781 -- $196,78110 -$5,000

ECHELONS ABOVE BRIGADE $840,373 $833,3732 -$7,000 $790,37311 -$50,000

THEATER LEVEL ASSETS $107,392 $105,3923 -$2,000 $102,39212 -$5,000
LAND FORCES OPERATIONS 

SUPPORT $62,908 $62,908 -- $62,908 --

AVIATION ASSETS $1,113,908 $1,102,9084 -$11,000 $1,101,90813 -$12,000

FORCE READINESS 

OPERATIONS SUPPORT $832,946 $827,9465 -$5,000 $820,60514-18 -$12,341

LAND FORCES SYSTEMS 

READINESS $50,696 $50,696 -- $51,49619 $800

LAND FORCES DEPOT 

MAINTENANCE $231,784 $231,784 -- $231,784 --

BASE OPERATIONS SUPPORT $1,249,066 $1,244,0666 -$5,000 $1,253,80020,21 $4,734

FACILITIES SUSTAINMENT, 

RESTORATION, & 

MODERNIZATION

$1,081,561 $1,081,561 -- $1,176,56122,23 $95,000

MANAGEMENT AND 

OPERATIONAL HQ $1,468,857 $1,458,8577 -$10,000 $1,481,85724,25 $13,000

CYBERSPACE ACTIVITIES –

CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS $9,566 $9,566 -- $9,566 --

CYBERSPACE ACTIVITIES –

CYBERSECURITY $15,710 $15,710 -- $16,71026 $1,000

SERVICEWIDE 

TRANSPORTATION $7,251 $7,251 -- $7,251 --

ADMINISTRATION $66,0251 $73,0258 $7,000 $68,02527,28 $2,000

SERVICEWIDE 

COMMUNICATIONS $113,366 $113,366 -- $113,366 --

MANPOWER MANAGEMENT $8,663 $8,663 -- $8,663 --

OTHER PERSONNEL SUPPORT $292,426 $292,426 -- $292,426 --

REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT $3,754 $3,754 -- $3,754 --

HISTORICAL UNOBLIGATION -- -$43,000 -$43,000

PROGRAM DECREASE –

CIVILIAN WORKFORCE -- -$8,000 -$8,000

P.L. 115-68 IMPLEMENTATION -- $300 $300

PROJECTED 

UNDEREXECUTION -$20,000 -$20,000

TOTAL, ARNG O&M $8,683,104 $8,612,404 -$70,700 $8,706,797 $23,693

1. Maneuver Units; Program increase: Northern Strike $13,000

2. Echelons Above Brigade; Unjustified growth: -$7,000

3. Theater Level Assets; Unjustified growth: -$2,000

4. Aviation Assets; Unjustified growth: -$11,000

5. Force Readiness Operations Support; Unjustified growth: -$5,000

6. Base Operations; Unjustified growth: -$5,000

7. Management and Operational Headquarters; Unjustified transfer: -$10,000

8. Administration; Program increase: State Partnership Program $7,000

9. Maneuver Units; Program increase: Exercise Northern Strike $11,500

10. Modular Support Brigades; Unjustified growth: -$5,000

11. Echelons Above Brigade; Unjustified growth: - $50,000

12. Theater Level Assets; Unjustified growth: -$5,000

13. Aviation Assets; Unjustified growth: -$12,000

14. Force Readiness Operations Support; Unjustified growth: -$20,000

15. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: Irregular warfare training exercises $3,500

16. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $1,909

17. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: International advanced trauma and public health direct training services

$750

18. Force Readiness Operations Support; Program increase: Wildfire training $1,500

19. Land Forces Systems Readiness; Program increase: Enhanced NG emergency satellite communications capability $800

20. Base Operations Support; Program increase: Aqueous film forming foam replacement related activities $2,600

21. Base Operations Support; Program increase: PFAS cleanup and restoration $2,134

22. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase $60,000

23. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; ARNG MQ-1C AATS $35,000

24. Management and Operational Headquarters; Program increase: Mental health providers $8,000

25. Management and Operational Headquarters; Program increase: Star behavioral health program $5,000

26. Cyberspace Activities-Cybersecurity; Program increase: NG Mission assurance Program $1,000
27. Administration; Program decrease unaccounted for - $4,000

28. Administration; Program increase: State Partnership Program $6,000
• Air National Guard

Air National Guard Personnel

(All Dollars in Thousands)

ANG Personnel 

Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24

HAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request 

FY24

SAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24

Conference

PAY GROUP A TRAINING 

(15 DAYS & DRILLS 24/48) $1,125,121 $1,125,121 -- $1,125,121 --

PAY GROUP F TRAINING 

(RECRUITS) $106,460 $106,460 -- $106,460 --

PAY GROUP P TRAINING 

(PIPELINE RECRUITS) $4,405 $4,405 -- $4,405 --

SCHOOL TRAINING $319,496 $319,496 -- $319,496 --

SPECIAL TRAINING $217,458 $222,2581-2 $4,800 $229,0986-10 $11,640

ADMINISTRATION AND 

SUPPORT $3,475,783 $3,475,783 -- $3,475,783 --

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN 

MATCHING 

CONTRIBUTIONS

$27,540 $27,540 -- $27,540 --

EDUCATION BENEFITS $16,162 $16,162 -- $16,162 --

TOTAL, BUDGET ACTIVITY 1 

(BAC-01) $5,292,425 $5,297,225 $4,800 $5,304,065 $11,640

UNDISTRIBUTED 

ADJUSTMENT -- -$62,6003-5 -$62,600 -$39,200 -$39,200

Total, Title I National Guard 

Personnel, Air Force $5,292,425 $5,234,625 -$57,800 $5,264,865 -$27,560

HEALTH CARE 

CONTRIBUTION (RC) $371,866 $371,866 -- $372,000 --

Total, National Guard 

Personnel, Air Force $5,664,291 $5,606,491 -$57,800 $5,636,865 -$27,560

1. Special Training; Program increase: State Partnership Program $2,800

2. Special Training; Program increase: Northern Strike $2,000

3. Undistributed Adjustment; historical unobligated balances: -$26,000

4. Undistributed Adjustment; projected underexecution: -$33,000

5. Undistributed Adjustment; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: -$3,600

6. Special Training; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $2,840

7. Special Training; Program increase: State Partnership Program $2,800

8. Special Training; Program increase: Wildfire training $6,000

9. Special Training; Undistributed adjustment: Revised budget estimate -$41,200

10. Special Training; Program increase: Exercise Northern Strike $2,000

Air National Guard Operations & Maintenance 

ANG O&M 

Appropriation

FY24

President’s 

Budget 

Request

FY24

HAC-D 

Mark

Delta 

from 

Request 

FY24

SAC-D Mark

Delta 

from 

Request

FY24

Conferen

ce

AIRCRAFT 

OPERATIONS $2,498,675 $2,468,6751 -$30,000 $2,478,6759 -$20,000

MISSION SUPPORT 

OPERATIONS $656,714 $667,2652-4 $10,551 $669,74810-14 $13,034

DEPOT 

MAINTENANCE $1,171,901 $1,173,9015 $2,000 $1,149,90115 -$22,000
FACILITIES 

SUSTAINMENT, 

RESTORATION & 

MODERNIZATION 

$370,188 $466,6886 $96,500 $482,06516-18 $111,877

CONTRACTOR 

LOGISTICS 

SUPPORT AND 

SYSTEM SUPPORT

$1,280,003 $1,262,0037 -$18,000 $1,260,00319 -$20,000

BASE OPERATING 

SUPPORT $1,089,579 $1,094,5798 $5,000 $1,071,57920 -$18,000

CYBERSPACE 

SUSTAINMENT $19,708 $19,708 -- $19,708 --

CYBERSPACE 

ACTIVITIES $49,476 $49,476 -- $49,476 --

ADMINISTRATION $68,417 $68,417 -- $68,417 --

RECRUITING AND 

ADVERTISING $49,033 $49,033 -- $49,033 --

HISTORICAL 

UNOBLIGATION -- -$43,000 -$43,000 -- --

PROGRAM 

DECREASE –

CIVILIAN 

WORKFORCE

-- -$26,000 -$26,000

-- --

PROJECTED 

UNDEREXECUTION -- -- -- -$30,000 -$30,000

TOTAL, O&M, AIR 

NATIONAL GUARD $7,253,694 $7,250,745 -$2,949 $7,268,605 $14,911

1. Aircraft Operations; Unjustified growth: -$30,000

2. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: State Partnership Program $3,300

3. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: ANG JTAC contractor support $8,000

4. Mission Support Operations; Unjustified request: -$749

5. Depot Purchase Equipment Maintenance; Program increase: KC-135 $2,000

6. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: facility enhancements for future pilot training sites $96,500

7. Contractor Logistics Support and System Support; Unjustified growth: -$18,000

8. Base Operations Support; Program Increase: resilience training $5,000

9. Aircraft Operations; Unjustified growth: -$20,000

10. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Advanced trauma and public health direct training services $2,034

11. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Mental health providers $5,000

12. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: State Partnership Program $2,500

13. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Training and equipment for KC-135 classic associations $2,000

14. Mission Support Operations; Program increase: Wildfire training $1,500

15. Depot Purchase Equipment Maintenance; Unjustified growth: -$22,000

16. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: $20,000

17. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: Additional facility enhancements for future foreign military 

pilot training sites $90,977

18. Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization; Program increase: Repair hangar fire systems $900

19. Contractor Logistics Support and System Support; Unjustified growth: -$20,000

20. Base Support; Unjustified growth: -$18,000
Items of Interest

National Guard Bureau Active Guard and Reserve Budgeting

The Committee is concerned that efforts by the National Guard Bureau to grow its full time 

Active Guard and Reserve [AGR] force in recent years has led to budget shortfalls 

impacting readiness and training. These shortfalls have resulted in multiple prior approval 

reprogramming actions and the furlough of some AGR personnel. Therefore, the 

Committee directs the Assistant Secretaries of the Army and Air Force (Financial 

Management and Comptroller) to include AGR strength and funding obligation data in its 

quarterly briefings to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 

and the Senate.

Travel Reimbursement for National Guard

The Committee is concerned about the readiness and retention of National Guard Soldiers 

and Airmen residing in rural States. The Committee notes that National Guard personnel in 

rural States often have to travel hours to weekend Inactive Duty Training [IDT], which can 

become a financial strain on Soldiers, Airmen, and their families. The Committee 

understands the Department of Defense currently has authority to reimburse travel for 

certain National Guard personnel performing IDT outside the normal commuting distance 

of the servicemember’s permanent residence. The Committee encourages the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau to maximize the use of this authority in order to lessen the financial 

burdens on those servicemembers. Further, the Committee directs the Secretary of 

Defense to provide a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 90 

days after enactment of this act that includes the following:

(1) any existing authorities to reimburse National Guard personnel for travel from 

home to IDT duty locations;

(2) the number of National Guard personnel who report to a duty location for 

weekend IDT 150 miles or more from their home of record, including a breakdown 

by State and rank;

(3) the costs associated with implementing a travel reimbursement plan for 

weekend IDT; and

(4) the level of funding available within the Department of Defense’s fiscal year

2024 budget request for reimbursement of travel expenses of personnel performing IDT. 

In addition, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the 

Army and Air Force, with the submission of the fiscal year 2025 President’s budget 

request, to clearly identify requested funds which will be used to reimburse National Guard 

personnel for travel expenses incurred commuting to IDT duty locations.

Advanced Trauma and Public Health Direct Training Services

The Committee directs the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to continue state-of-the-art 

trauma, critical care, behavioral health, public health, and other ancillary direct medical 

training utilizing academic medical centers. These disciplines for Air National Guard and 

Army National Guard medical and non-medical personnel, and State Partnership 

Program/Global Health Engagement international partners are intended to minimize 

civilian-military and international coalition medical operational gaps in the event of a 

catastrophic incident. Further, these preparedness programs shall be delivered through 

direct training services, to include advanced trauma, public health, and combat lifesaver 
curriculums focusing on critical life-saving procedures, epidemiology of public health 

diseases, prevention and treatment, mass casualty triage, and psychological health.

Operation and Maintenance Budget Execution Data

The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense and Service Secretaries to continue to 

provide the congressional defense committees with quarterly budget execution data. Such 

data should be provided not later than 45 days after the close of each quarter of the fiscal 

year, and should be provided for each O–1 budget activity, activity group, and sub-activity 

group for each of the active, defense-wide, reserve, and National Guard components. For 

each O–1 budget activity, activity group, and sub-activity group, these reports should 

include the budget request and actual obligation amount, the distribution of unallocated 

congressional adjustments to the budget request, all adjustments made by the Department 

in establishing the Base for Reprogramming (DD Form 1414) report, all adjustments 

resulting from below threshold reprogrammings, and all adjustments resulting from prior 

approval reprogramming requests.

Addressing Sexual Assault

The Committee continues to support the Department of Defense’s efforts to eradicate the 

crime of sexual assault and implement the recommendations of the Independent Review 

Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military. The Committee recommends $47,000,000 

above the budget request for the Department of Defense to continue the Special Victims’ 

Counsel Program.

Cybersecurity Workforce Expertise Management

The Committee notes the disparate tracking of cybersecurity workforce qualifications

and training across the military services. The Committee understands that the Army has 

had success using a commercial-off-the-shelf software tracking technology with real-time 

access to cyber workforce data that allows it to consistently and accurately catalogue each 

individual’s existing and required training and qualifications. The Committee encourages 

the Secretaries of the Navy and Air Force to pursue the use of an automated cybersecurity

workforce system to inventory and validate individual qualifications and training pertaining 

to cyber work roles.

National Guard Bureau Environmental Cleanup

The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the congressional 

defense committees on the progress of remediation of hazardous substances on land 

surrounding National Guard installations not later than 180 days after the enactment of this 

act. The report shall also address the rate of cleanup of land surrounding National Guard 

installations, an evaluation of such progress when compared to active duty locations, and 

recommendations for additional resources or authorities needed to achieve parity in 

cleanup between National Guard and active duty locations. The Secretary of Defense shall 

take into consideration delays caused by the National Guard’s exclusion from the Defense 

Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) for several years and the unique needs of 

National Guard installations and surrounding communities. In addition, the report shall 

detail available opportunities for municipalities to enter into agreements with State and 

Federal National Guard entities, existing efforts to inform municipalities of such 

opportunities, and recommendations for ways to improve outreach and simplify application 

processes.
Army National Guard Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization Funding

The Committee recommends a robust funding level in fiscal year 2024 for facility 

sustainment, restoration and modernization. The Chief of the National Guard Bureau is 

encouraged to use a portion of these funds to update facilities and armories to address the 

needs of female servicemembers.

Virtual Language Training

The Committee notes that foreign language skills are instrumental in building and 

maintaining global alliances and partnerships and encourages the National Guard Bureau 

to continue its virtual language training program. The Committee directs the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau to submit a report to the congressional defense committees, not 

later than 180 days after the enactment of this act, that includes the number of Guardsmen 

receiving virtual language training and level of proficiency achieved, a description of 

program marketing and sign-up procedures, a listing of classes and languages taught, a 

comparison of language training offered with current State Partnership Program 

participants, and funding programmed for National Guard language training through the 

Future Years Defense Program.

Combat Readiness Training Centers

The Committee recognizes the strategic value that Air National Guard combat readiness 

training centers provide to the readiness and capabilities of the joint force. Therefore, in 

fiscal year 2024, the Committee expects the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau to continue resourcing personnel and operations at all four combat 

readiness training centers at no less than the funding levels included in the Department of 

Defense Appropriations Act, 2023. The Committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force, 

in coordination with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to provide a report to the 

Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, not later 

than 90 days after the enactment of this act, detailing plans for the operations, manning, 

and anticipated annual funding requirements for each of the combat readiness training 

centers from fiscal year 2024 through the Future Years Defense Program.

Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training

The Committee is concerned that the Air National Guard has been unable to meet Joint 

Terminal Attack Controller [JTAC] training requirements for initial qualification training or 

re-qualification, which could negatively impact readiness. The Committee encourages the 

Secretary of the Air Force to conduct additional training with airborne aircraft to reduce this 

backlog and support JTAC training requirements.

Air National Guard Tuition Assistance

The Committee supports the establishment of an Air National Guard tuition assistance

program similar to that of the Army National Guard and encourages the Chief of the 

National Guard Bureau, to include the tuition assistance program for both the Army and Air 

Guard in its future budget requests.

Classic Associations

The Committee notes that there are six Air National Guard [ANG] units that operate under 

classic associations with their active duty counterparts. While these ANG units do not own 

aircraft, they are operationally integrated into the active unit that maintains operational 

control of the mission set. The Committee understands that informal agreements exist 
between active and guard units that provide small numbers of backup aircraft to the Guard 

units to operate and maintain as a ‘‘micro-fleet’’. The Committee commends the Air Force 

for this innovative solution to a unique arrangement between multiple components and 

directs the Secretary of the Air Force to pursue a memorandum of agreement [MOA] to 

formally recognize these agreements. Further, the Committee directs that not later than 90 

days following enactment of this act, the Secretary of the Air Force shall, in consultation 

with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau submit a report to the Committees on 

Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate identifying the key 

parameters of such MOAs. In addition, the Committee recommends $12,000,000 in the 

Aircraft Procurement, Air Force account, $2,000,000 in the Operation and Maintenance, 

Air National Guard account and $1,000,000 in the Other Procurement, Air Force account 

to provide additional training and support equipment to these Guard units, thereby 

lessening the logistical burden on the active duty units.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Basing

The Committee notes the initiation of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft [CCA] effort and 

understands that this capability is scheduled for delivery in the late 2020’s. Given the rapid 

development timeline associated with this capability, the Committee believes that it is 

prudent to begin developing basing criteria for CCA alongside development. Therefore, the 

Committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide a report to the congressional 

defense committees not later than 90 days after the enactment of this act that describes 

preliminary basing criteria for CCA. This report shall detail basing criteria for CCA and 

include an evaluation of whether existing Air National Guard units with fighter aircraft in 

need of recapitalization are appropriate basing candidates for CCA.

Recapitalization of the Reserve Components

The Committee notes the importance of fielding and basing new platforms within the Air 

National Guard and Air Force Reserve components to ensure interoperability and 

compatibility with the active component. The Committee is concerned that, as the 

Department of the Air Force recapitalizes units operating legacy platforms, modernized 

platforms have not been fielded to the reserve components in a proportional manner to 

their operational contributions. Accordingly, the Committee directs the Secretary of the Air 

Force to appropriately plan, in both the Department’s procurement budgeting and strategic 

basing processes, for adequate recapitalization of Air National Guard and Air Force 

Reserve units with modern platforms.

Polar Tactical Airlift

The Air National Guard maintains and operates a fleet of LC–130H aircraft that provide 

assured access to the polar regions in support of long-standing, validated mission 

requirements. The Committee reiterates its belief that polar tactical airlift is a vital capability 

that must be maintained and modernized. The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 

2023, provided $1,000,000 in Operation and Maintenance, Air Force to begin the 

requirements definition process for follow on aircraft to fulfill the polar tactical airlift mission 

set, and to submit a report to the congressional defense committees not later than 120 

days following the enactment of the act. The Committee observes that further deferring the 

requirements definition process poses an unacceptable risk to polar tactical airlift 

capability, potentially resulting in a capability gap into the 2030s. The Committee directs 

the submission of the aforementioned report at the earliest possible date.
C–12 Recapitalization

The Committee is concerned with the state of the C–12 fleet across the military services, 

to include those belonging to National Guard and Reserve component units. The 

Committee believes that the Department of Defense should adequately budget and 

resource for the modernization of these airframes consistent with current identified 

requirements. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a 

report to the congressional defense committees, not later than 90 days after enactment of 

this act, that details the current status of the C–12 fleet including quantities, location, flight 

hours, and expected service life. The report shall at a minimum include the composition

of the existing C–12 fleet, ongoing modernization efforts, and funding requirements by 

appropriation to modernize the C–12 fleet.

NGREA High-Priority Items

The Committee directs that the National Guard and Reserve Equipment account shall be 

executed by the Chiefs of the National Guard and reserve components with priority

consideration given to the following items: aircraft wash systems; lightweight, rapidly 

deployable, computer-based, artillery call for fire training and simulation; vehicle-mounted, 

man-portable radiological nuclear detection systems; modular small arms ranges and

small arms training simulators and tools; ballistically tolerant auxiliary fuel systems; KC–

135 aircraft forward area refueling/defueling stations; modern acoustic and thermal 

aviation blankets; high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle modernization; M917A3 

heavy dump trucks; land surveying systems; laser chemical threat detection systems; and 

aviation fleet management dashboard software. The Committee further directs that, for 

purposes of prioritizing the execution of funds, consideration be given to the defense

industrial base and its workforce in addition to military requirements.

Strength Reporting

The Committee directs the Service Secretaries to provide monthly strength reports for all 

components to the congressional defense committees beginning not later than 30 days

after enactment of this act. The first report shall provide actual baseline end strength for 

officer, enlisted, and cadet personnel, and the total component. The second report shall 

provide the end of year projection for average strength for officer, enlisted, and 

cadet personnel using the formula in the Department of Defense Financial Management 

Regulation Volume 2A, Chapter Two. For the active components, this report shall break 

out average strength data by base and direct war and enduring costs and differentiate 

between the active and reserve components. It should also include the actuals and 

projections compared to the fiscal year 2024 budget request.

Legislative Provisions

Sec. 8119 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Inserts a new provision carried in 

previous years to appropriate funds for continued implementation and expansion of the 

Sexual Assault Special Victims’ Counsel Program.

Sec. 8046 prohibits using funds to reduce the authorized positions for military technicians 

(dual status) of the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Army Reserve and Air Force 

Reserve for the purpose of applying any administratively imposed civilian personnel 

ceiling, freeze, or reduction on military technicians (dual status), unless such reductions 

are a direct result of a reduction in military force structure.
Sec. 8048 allows reimbursement of pay, allowances, and other expenses for the NG and 

Reserve when providing intelligence or counterintelligence support to Combatant 

Commands, Defense Agencies and Joint Intelligence Activities, including the activities and 

programs included within the National Intelligence Program and the Military Intelligence 

Program.

Sec. 8055 allows the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to permit the use of equipment of 

the National Guard Distance Learning Project by any person or entity on a spaceavailable, reimbursable basis.

Sec. 8061 provides for the use of National Guard personnel to support ground-based 

elements of the National Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Sec. 8063 allows the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to waive payment of all or part of 

the consideration that otherwise would be required under section 2667

of title 10, United States Code, in the case of a lease of personal property for a period not 

in excess of 1 year to any organization specified in section 508(d) of title 32, United States 

Code, or any other youth, social, or fraternal nonprofit organization as may be approved by 

the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, or their designee, on a case-by-case basis.