Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced the launch of the Long-Range Strike Caucus for the 119^th Congress. The Caucus provides an informal, bipartisan opportunity to educate Members of Congress on current and future U.S. bomber capabilities, advocate for this essential instrument of national security, and facilitate engagement between Congress, industry, and the Department of Defense. The Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Don Davis (NC-01).

“We’re proud to re-launch the Long-Range Strike Caucus for this Congress,” said Congressman Alford. “As the Congressman for Whiteman Air Force Base—the home of the B-2 Spirit, and soon the B-21 Raider—I have witnessed first-hand the strategic necessity of our long-range strike capabilities. Last October, I was in the Middle East when our heroic airmen showed the world what they can do, striking terrorist lairs in Yemen with pinpoint precision. That’s not just power. It's a promise that America can reach out and touch anyone, anywhere, at any time when freedom is at stake. I look forward to bipartisan collaboration on how we can ensure America maintains its superior long-range strike capabilities well into the future.”

“As our nation confronts emerging global threats to national security, the Long Range Strike Caucus can play a significant role in our defense and in safeguarding the American people,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Modernizing our long-range strike aircraft, particularly our bombers, is essential to ensuring that the U.S. military continues to be the world's premier fighting force.”

Background:

The Long-Range Strike Caucus advocates for our nation’s bomber force and the many missions that support our bombers in conducting long-range strikes. This includes active duty, guard, and reserve units that provide fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, air refueling, testing, acquisition, and depot maintenance.

The Air Force bomber fleet provides a unique ability for the U.S. to rapidly strike any target in the world, an essential capability for deterring our enemies and reassuring our allies and partners.

Despite its active use and global presence, our bomber fleet is the smallest and oldest it has ever been. With an average age of more than 40 years old, almost half of our current long-range strike aircraft pre-date the Cuban Missile Crisis. The failure to adequately modernize has impacted our ability operate, especially in potentially contested environments. Therefore, efforts to develop and procure a new generation of Air Force bombers, including the B-21 Raider and refitted B-52J, are critical to the conventional and nuclear national security apparatus.

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