House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon announced that Congressman Mike Turner will be appointed the Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee for the 113th Congress. Currently, Turner chairs the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, and will retain a slot on the subcommittee in the coming Congress. The new subcommittee leadership role makes Turner responsible for oversight of a broad portfolio of Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force acquisition programs. This is key to such Ohio military facilities as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Lima Tank Plant, as well as Army and Air National Guard Bases.
“I’d like to thank Chairman McKeon for his leadership on the committee, and for appointing me to this new position. With looming defense cuts and the potential of another round of BRAC in the coming years, this subcommittee places me in a role to continue my strong advocacy for the men and women at Wright-Patt, the Lima Tank Plant, and a number of other facilities which preserve the safety and security of our nation,” said Turner.
The Subcommittee conducts oversight over a broad portfolio of procurement programs, as well as their research and development. This includes: Army, Navy and Air Force Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS); Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force combat aircraft (F-35, F-22, F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, E-2, E-3, E-8, EA-6 V-22); Navy and Air Force Munitions (JDAM, Air to Air); Army and Marine Corps Munitions (Surface to Air, Surface to Surface); Army, Navy and Marine Corps Rotorcraft (AH-64, CH-47, UH-60, OH-58, Presidential Rotorcraft); Army and Marine Corps Tracked Vehicles (Bradley, M-1 Abrams, Stryker, Future Combat Systems); Army and Marine Corps Tactical Wheeled Vehicles; in addition to a number of other programs.
“Mike Turner is a strong advocate for our men and women in uniform. His energy, insight, and dedication on their behalf makes him a terrific choice for Chairmanship of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. In this role, he will be responsible for oversight of many of the most vital programs like F-22, F-35, and Global Hawk Predators, systems that will give our troops the combat edge they need as they face the dangers ahead,” stated House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon.