March 2020 Update

On February 10, President Donald Trump released the proposed federal budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. The budget requests $740.5 billion in total national defense spending and an increase in Army National Guard Personnel funding, as well as increases in Air National Guard Personnel and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding. It also requests an increase in Army National Guard and Air National Guard end strength above FY20 levels.

Additionally, the budget requested several other provisions beneficial to the National Guard, including:

• $461.9 million for modernization of 24 AH-64 Apache Block IIIA helicopters for the Army National Guard
• $492.0 million for UH-60 Black Hawk M-Model helicopters for the Army National Guard
• $100.8 million for 14 UH-60 Black Hawk L and V model helicopters for the Army National Guard
• $95.8 million for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) for the Army National Guard
• $4.5 billion for 48 F-35A Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force
• $1.2 billion for 12 F-15EX aircraft for the Air Force
• $2.8 billion for 15 KC-46A Pegasus aircraft for the Air Force
• $1.1 billion for 19 HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters for the Air Force
• A 3.0% military personnel pay raise
• $94.2 million for the National Guard Counterdrug program
• $5.5 million for National Guard Counterdrug Schools
• Estimates spending $134.8 million for the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program

Despite the closure of some Congressional offices, NGAUS legislative staff continues to execute a robust engagement plan to advocate with Members of Congress, Senators, and staff on important National Guard issues and NGAUS priorities. The legislative staff also worked diligently with NGAUS members and Task Forces to identify top NGAUS priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, which can be found on the NGAUS website here.