Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Ronny Jackson (R-TX) have introduced the Forward Air Logistics Complex Operation Nodes (FALCON) Act, which aims to enhance U.S. Air Force depot-level maintenance partnerships with key Indo-Pacific allies such as Australia and the Republic of Korea.
Rep. Moore explained the motivation behind the legislation: “The tyranny of distance in the Pacific is one of the greatest concerns I hear as the congressional representative of Hill Air Force Base. In the event of a conflict in the region, U.S. logistics and supply routes back to the continental U.S. would almost certainly be disrupted, putting the Air Force’s ability to send aircraft back home for depot-level repair and overhaul under severe threat. I’m leading legislation that requires Air Force and Pentagon leadership to plan out where the U.S. could partner with key allies on aircraft sustainment and developing forward sustainment positions in the Pacific Theater. This will strengthen readiness, increase burden sharing with our allies for the costs of aircraft maintenance, and ultimately reduce costs for the American taxpayer. It will also highlight Hill Air Force Base’s leadership role, serving as the nation’s fighter depot center of excellence and managing a satellite depot facility in Japan.”
Rep. Tokuda added: “Positioned at the strategic crossroads of the Pacific, Hawai’i understands the real-world challenges of sustaining air operations across vast distances and complex logistical networks. Being on the frontlines means we see firsthand how critical it is to not only train with our allies, but also plan together for maintaining, repairing, and resupplying aircraft during a crisis. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the FALCON Act with Rep. Moore and Rep. Jackson, to ensure our multinational exercises go beyond flying in formation, and focus on coordinated depot-level maintenance, repair, and sustainment. Strengthening these partnerships and our interoperability are essential to our readiness and collective security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Rep. Jackson stated: “The FALCON Act is a critical step towards elevating our logistics and sustainment needs in the Indo-Pacific, ensuring America’s Air Force will be ready to fight and dominate if called upon,” said Rep. Jackson. “I’m proud to support this important piece of legislation and will always fight to advance the capabilities of Sheppard Air Force Base, home of the 82nd Training Wing and the Air Force’s logistics and maintenance technical training!”
Under this bill, each year at least one multinational military exercise in the Indo-Pacific—such as Rim of the Pacific or Resolute Force Pacific—would prioritize depot-level maintenance activities including planning sessions with allied nations on munitions stock levels or emergency tabletop exercises for contested logistics scenarios.
Additionally, it directs a study by Air Force leadership into establishing formal co-sustainment partnerships with Australia and South Korea focused on emergency repair capabilities for fixed-wing aircraft located outside continental U.S.
Utah hosts one of three major Department of Air Force maintenance centers at Hill Air Force Base’s Ogden Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC). The OO-ALC also manages Support Center Pacific at Kadena Air Base in Japan—a unit that performs repairs across various platforms such as F-15s or MQ-9s.
Blake Moore has represented Utah’s 1st district since 2021 after succeeding Rob Bishop https://moore.house.gov/about. He was born in Ogden in 1980 https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/11/8/23949298/blake-moore-utah-congress-republican-leadership-bid-interview.
