A bipartisan congressional caucus launched on Tuesday will work to bolster the Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), which fortifies national security through 24/7 operations around that world that supply military leaders with real-time information.
U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Congressional Airborne ISR Caucus. The caucus will build awareness of the role of Airborne ISR, gather information about challenges and opportunities, and foster an exchange of ideas among members dedicated to advancing Airborne ISR.
“Airborne ISR plays an important role in our national security and I look forward to bringing together ISR experts from DoD and industry,” Bacon said. “Having this insight will provide Congressman Garamendi and I the opportunity to better shape the NDAA to ensure we have the best ISR capabilities tailored for current and future threats. As the former commander of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, I saw first-hand how ISR provided our nation with an unmatched advantage on the battlefield.”
Speaking at the event, Lt. Gen. John “Jack” Shanahan of the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence highlighted the importance of the military having accurate and timely information to address multi-dimensional threats posed by state and non-state actors.
“As the Representative for Beale Air Force Base, I’m well aware just how vital the ISR mission is — not just to the Air Force, but to all our joint operations throughout the world,” Garamendi said. “This caucus will help ensure that our defense bills give intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions the support they need today and well into the future.”