SUSTAIN Act

Protect Air National Guard MQ-9s

This bill would stop the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing MQ-9 aircraft or MQ-9 units that exist on the date of enactment. The protection would run from the date of enactment through September 30, 2032. It would bar divestment, deactivation, redesignation, consolidation, transfer, retirement, placement in backup inventory, or other actions that would reduce mission capability or primary aerospace vehicle authorizations below enactment-date levels. The bill would also bar changing a unit’s designed operational capability in a way that lowers capability, and would bar cutting personnel assigned to MQ-9 operation and maintenance if that cut would impair the unit’s ability to meet its designed capability. Two exceptions would apply: the Secretary could remove a single aircraft if it is unsafe, uneconomical to repair, or no longer mission capable for specified sustainment reasons; or the Secretary could convert a unit to a new primary mission only with the State governor’s approval under 32 U.S.C. 104(c), a certification to congressional defense committees that capability will be maintained or improved, and a submitted plan covering personnel impacts, projected capability (with funding and manpower), transition timeline, and any aircraft, systems, or infrastructure needs. The bill would also require the Secretary to consult with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the Air National Guard before taking the listed actions on Air National Guard MQ-9 aircraft or units.