|
WASHINGTON, D.C.— This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the legislative vehicle that authorizes policies, programs, and spending for the Department of War.
Included in the bill were eight provisions directly influenced by the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. Chairman Pfluger and Congressional appointees on the USAFA Board of Visitors partnered with the House Armed Services Committee to secure key provisions that strengthen the U.S. Air Force Academy in the FY2027 NDAA.
The House NDAA prioritizes restoring the Air Force Academy's cadet wing to its full strength of 4,400 cadets, while also authorizing the Superintendent to partner with affiliated nonprofits on campus modernization, reviewing the future of Academy athletics, and assessing a dedicated funding line for the Academy. It also streamlines Board communications with Congress and preserves a key Air Force Reserve unit supporting the airfield. Finally, it redesignates the Dean of the Faculty as Provost and Dean of the Faculty and directs a strategy to improve academic outcomes.
"As an Air Force Academy graduate, I'm proud to secure wins for this elite institution. We owe our cadets the best facilities, and this legislation directly advances the USAFA 2050 initiative. It also lays the groundwork to restore the cadet wing to its full strength of 4,400 — one of my top priorities as Chairman of the USAFA Board of Visitors, and a step this legislation directly supports. This bill will have a significant impact on the Academy, ensuring it remains a world-class institution that produces the finest officers for the Air Force and Space Force," said USAFA Board of Visitors Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).
“We must ensure that the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District stays at the forefront of developing our best Airmen and Guardians,” said Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05). “As a Member of the Board of Visitors for the Academy, I am pleased that I have secured provisions in the bill to protect the 70th Flying Training Squadron from closure and to establish a dedicated funding mechanism for the USAFA 2050 campus modernization effort. This Board remains committed to ensuring the academic excellence the Academy is known for will continue for decades to come.”
"The U.S. Air Force Academy prepares young men and women to answer our nation's call to serve with honor, integrity, and excellence. As a graduate and member of the Academy's Board of Visitors, I am proud to support legislation that restores the Cadet Wing to full strength, protects essential flight training, and advances the Academy's long-term future. These provisions reinforce our commitment to developing the next generation of Air Force and Space Force leaders,” said Rep. Don Davis (NC-01).
“As a retired Air Force brigadier general and member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, I know the Academy is where we build many of the leaders who will defend our country in the air, space and cyber domains,” said Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02). “This year’s NDAA includes Board-led provisions to support the push to restore the Cadet Wing to 4,400 cadets, protect critical flight training capabilities, modernize campus infrastructure and ensure USAFA is prepared for the missions of the future. Congress has a responsibility to ensure the Academy has the people, resources and infrastructure needed to succeed, and today the House took an important step toward meeting that responsibility.”
Provisions Led by the USAFA Board of Visitors Included:
Authorized End Strength at the U.S. Air Force Academy: restores the cadet wing to 4,400 cadets and align resources accordingly and commends the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force for their attention to this matter, including actions to return USAFA to its statutory capacity. Read the full text of the provision here.
Transform the public-private investment relationship for all three U.S. Service Academies: authorizes Service Academy superintendents to contract with affiliated nonprofit organizations for campus modernization projects. Read full text of the provision here.
Review the future of Service Academy Athletics: requires the Secretary of Defense to establish a panel to review the impacts of NCAA rules with respect to compensation of athletes as well as the transfer portal for athletes on the military service academies. Read the full text of the provision here.
Streamline Congressional Communications with each Board of Visitors: requires the Secretary of Defense to appoint civilian employees for each of the military departments to serve as the congressional communications officials for the Board of Visitors of each of the military service academies. Read the full text of the provision here.
Establish an Assessment of a Dedicated Funding Line for USAFA: directs the Department of the Air Force to brief on how the Air Force Academy will compete for FSRM funds to meet the needs of USAFA 2050. Read the full text of the provision here.
Preserve a Critical Air Force Reserve Unit that Supports USAFA's Airfield: prevents the stand down of the 70th Flight Training Squadron at the Air Force Academy. Read the full text of the provision here.
Strategy to Improve Academic Outcomes at USAFA: requires the Superintendent to submit to the congressional defense committees and the Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the Academy a report containing a strategy to improve academic outcomes at the Academy. Read the full text of the provision here.
Redesignate the Dean of the Faculty of USAFA as Provost and Dean of the Faculty: redesignates the position of Dean of the Faculty as Provost and Dean of the Faculty. Read the full text of the provision here.
|
