Letter to the Hon. John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Hon. Jack Reed, Ranking Member, the Hon. Mac Thornberry, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and the Hon. Adam Smith, Ranking Member - Establish Independent Commission on Military Aviation Safety

Letter

Dear Chairman McCain, Chairman Thornberry, Ranking Member Reed, and Ranking Member Smith,

As you prepare for conference on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, we respectfully request the final conference report include Section 1078 of the House bill, which establishes an independent National Commission on Military Aviation Safety. S. 2987 contains no similar provision.

As members of the House Armed Services Committee, we are extremely concerned about the rate of military aviation accidents and recognize the need to better understand contributing factors and the steps necessary to correct course. Section 1078 of the House-passed bill would establish an independent National Commission on Military Aviation Safety which would study military aviation mishaps between FY 2013 and 2018. The commission would assess the rates of military aviation mishaps compared to historic averages, assess the causes contributing to the mishaps, and make recommendations on required changes to training, maintenance, personnel, or other policies related to aviation safety.

Ensuring that our aviators and crew are fully equipped to safely and effectively carry out their mission is our highest priority. We owe it to our servicemembers and their families who serve alongside them. Improving military aviation safety is critical for military readiness and our ability to continue recruiting and retaining America's top talent.

With this in mind, we strongly urge you to include Section 1078 of the House bill in the final conference agreement. Thank you for your attention to this important national security matter.

Sincerely,

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