Press Releases

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) joined Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) to introduce the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act to improve our nation’s aerial firefighting capabilities through expanded use of excess military aircrafts and parts.

The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the sale of military aircraft for use in aerial firefighting operations. Initially created under the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996, this program has played a crucial role in expanding and modernizing America's aerial firefighting fleet. However, since the lapse of this authority 2017, firefighting efforts across the country have experienced devastating and avoidable delays.

“As Southern California recovers from a devastating cluster of wildfires, I'm committed in Congress to implementing the policy solutions needed to improve our response to these devastating disasters on a bipartisan basis,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I'm proud to join my colleagues on this commonsense bill to strengthen the fleet of aircraft we have available to battle these blazes and ensure our first responders have all the air support they can get when defending our communities.”

“As wildfires continue to ravage our communities every year, this bipartisan legislation delivers major new assets to our fire suppression fleets for year-round management efforts,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Our firefighters need all the help they can get, and allowing the sale of the Department of Defense’s excess aircraft responsibly leverages the assets we have for public safety and fire management. I thank Reps. Ellzey, Carbajal, and Vasquez for joining me in this effort.”

“The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act restores a proven solution that works,” Rep. Ellzey said. “This is about efficiency—cutting through red tape to ensure our resources are used effectively. When fires break out, response time is critical, and this bill helps ensure our aerial firefighting fleet is well-equipped and ready to go.”

“New Mexico knows firsthand the devastation wildfires bring to our communities, and we must ensure our firefighters have every tool available to protect lives and property,” said Rep.Vasquez. “This legislation is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that strengthens our wildfire response capabilities. This bill is not only essential for improving wildfire suppression nationwide, but it also supports Albuquerque-based 10 Tanker, a leader in aerial firefighting. I will continue fighting for the resources our communities need to stay safe.”

The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 revises the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to reauthorize the Department of Defense's sale of aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression.

This bipartisan bill aims to improve the U.S. ability to combat wildfires year-round by enabling the use of military surplus aircrafts, sold at fair market value, for the aerial firefighting fleet. Additionally, the sale of aircraft parts will help maintain the current fleet of firefighting aircrafts.

The bill reauthorizes the Secretary of Defense to sell excess Department of Defense aircrafts and parts, which are deemed suitable for commercial sale, to individuals or entities contracted by the government for the aerial delivery of fire retardants or water to fight wildfires, provided the aircraft and parts are used solely for wildfire suppression. The original authority expired in 2005, was reauthorized from 2012 to 2017, and has since lapsed again.

Full bill text here.