Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page

9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report

LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.

15. General issue area code DEF

16. Specific lobbying issues

The Air and Space Forces Associations (AFA) lobbyists will be working to add provisions into the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and FY27 Defense Appropriations Act. Those specific provisions include:

1. Recapitalization and Enhancing the Readiness of the U.S. Air Force

Recapitalization
F-35A - Direct the Department of the Air Force to enter a significant multi-year contract beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for the procurement of the F-35A at the maximum production rate possible, but not less than 60 aircraft per year.

E-7 - Direct the resumption of the previous plan to acquire 26 E-7 aircraft.

EA-37B -- Increase the FY27 procurement of the EA-37B Compass Call to eight aircraft.

F-15EX - Increase procurement of the F-15EX in FY27 to 30 aircraft.

F-47 - Accelerate the development and production of the F-47 to achieve a total force size of 240 combat-capable aircraft in the shortest length of time possible.

B-21 - Increase production capabilities to ensure 225 B-21s are built by 2040.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) - Accelerate the development of the CCA and maximize funding as the aircrafts capabilities are proven.

HH-60W and MH-139 - Ensure the timely acquisition of the HH-60W and MH-139 to fully meet Air Force requirements.

Enhancing Readiness
As a general principle, due to the age and maintenance requirements of our existing aircraft, the Congress must allocate sufficient resources to sustain our existing fleet until they are replaced. Other vital areas include:
Flight Hours - Increase funding so fighter pilots fly at least three sorties a week and 200 hours a year; and bomber/support aircrews fly at least four hours per week.

Weapon Systems Sustainment (WSS) - Fully fund WSS to 100 percent of the Air Forces requirement.

2. Increasing the US Space Forces Resources
Toward that objective, the AFA respectfully recommends the congressional defense committees in Fiscal Year 2027: 1) authorize an increase in personnel strength of the service by 1,500 positions, whether military, civilian or contractor; 2) increase the amount spent on improving infrastructure by $1.7 billion and military construction by $500 million; and 3) authorize the services total budget of $47.2 billion.

3. Optimizing the Management Structure for the Development of Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2).
The AFA respectfully requests the congressional defense committees direct the Department to conduct a study which evaluates the CJADC2 current management structure and recommends the optimal configuration to ensure this system of systems is deployed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

4. Ensuring Adequate Housing for Airmen, Guardians and their Families.

Therefore, the AFA fully supports the prompt completion of these reports so their recommendations may be considered for inclusion in the FY27 NDAA. In addition, AFA also requests additional resources be allocated for the construction of additional Department of the Air Force (DAF) military housing.
5. CyberPatriot.

Created in 2009, with over 20,000 students participating each year, CyberPatriot is an annual middle and high school competition. Schools and other organizations, such as the Civil Air Patrol, create student teams which compete as if they were managing and defending the computer network of a small company. AFA is seeking additional funding for the competition.

6. Additional Matters.

In addition, the AFA members and staff will work on the following issues:

1. Strengthen Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) Authorities, Coordination, and Investment

Our military faces a rapidly growing threat from unmanned aerial systems (UAS). However, current legal authorities, funding, and coordination mechanisms are insufficient to fully protect our personnel, infrastructure, and operations. AFA recommends the Department of Defense (DOD) identify statutory and regulatory changes which will better enable our forces to defeat this threat at both domestic and international military installations. In addition, the DOD should increase funding and standardize the procurement of C-UAS systems across the Department.


2.Evaluate Air Force Responsibility for Base Defense Against Emerging Threats

Rapid advances in drone and missile threats have exposed potential gaps in current base defense strategies, which rely heavily on Army-provided air and missile defense capabilities. Therefore, the AFA recommends a formal evaluation be conducted of whether the Air Force or other service should assume greater responsibility for defending bases against drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and hypersonic missiles. As well as identify and dedicate sufficient financial resources to meet this threat.


3.Fund the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC)

To meet the requirements of our national defense strategies, it is essential the DoD continue to recruit and train the next generation of experts in acquisition, digital technologies, critical technologies, finance, science, [and] engineering... Therefore, the AFA strongly recommends the DoD continue to fund and build upon the success of the DCTC.

17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None

U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area

19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None

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Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.

20. Client new address

21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)

22. New General description of client’s business or activities

LOBBYIST UPDATE

23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client

ISSUE UPDATE

24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains

AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS

25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)

Internet Address:

26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client

FOREIGN ENTITIES

27. Add the following foreign entities:

28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization

CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE

29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
No Yes