I 
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 Representa-
tives 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 re-
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quires 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 ca-
pable 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 up-
graded 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 con-
tributions of Strike Eagle aircraft at a time when 
they continue to deliver unmatched payload capa-
bility 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- 
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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 Golds-
boro, North Carolina, played a significant role, de-
ploying 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 re-
gion. 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 Com-
mand, awarded airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing 
high-level decorations during a ceremony at Seymour 
Johnson Air Force Base. The airmen were recog-
nized for their rapid response and valiant perform-
ance in the largest air-to-air engagement in over 50 
years. Those heroes, receiving well-deserved decora-
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tions and surrounded by their families, have right-
fully 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 up-
graded 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 air-
craft 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— 
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(A) seek to enter into a contract for the 
procurement of advanced capability fighter air-
craft; 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 ad-
vanced 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 con-
gressional 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 brief-
ing under subparagraph (B), the Comptroller 
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General shall submit to the congressional de-
fense 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 fight-
er aircraft, fifth generation fighter aircraft, or 
next-generation air dominance fighter aircraft. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: 
(1) The term ‘‘advanced capability fighter air-
craft’’ means a Block 70/72 variant or later variant 
of the F–16 fighter aircraft, an F–15EX fighter air-
craft, an F–35 fighter aircraft, an F–47 fighter air-
craft, any future variant of such fighter aircraft, or 
any other more advanced capability fighter aircraft 
identified by the Secretary. 
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(2) The term ‘‘congressional defense commit-
tees’’ 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 genera-
tion aircraft as of the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(4) The term ‘‘fifth generation’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 154(d)(2) of the Na-
tional Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2025 (Public Law 118–159). 
(5) The term ‘‘fighter aircraft’’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 9062(i)(2) of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(6) The term ‘‘legacy capability fighter air-
craft’’ 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). 
Æ 
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