States findings of the Legislature and expresses support and commendation for the Idaho National Guard.

LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO Sixty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36 BY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION1 STATING FINDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND EXPRESSING SUPPORT AND COMMENDATION2 FOR THE IDAHO NATIONAL GUARD.3 Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:4 WHEREAS, the Idaho National Guard serves as a cornerstone of both state5 and national defense, fulfilling its dual mission as a state resource for6 emergency response and as a federal combat reserve force for the United7 States Army and Air Force; and8 WHEREAS, the National Guard is an indispensable component of the United9 States National Defense Strategy, providing trained, equipped, and ready10 forces capable of rapid mobilization to defend the sovereignty and security11 of the nation at home and abroad; and12 WHEREAS, the Idaho National Guard has a proud history of service to the13 state and nation, supporting combat operations overseas while remaining14 ready to respond to emergencies and disasters here at home; and15 WHEREAS, the Idaho Air National Guard has distinguished itself through16 decades of dedicated service operating the A-10 Thunderbolt II, a formida-17 ble close air support aircraft that has protected American forces and allies18 across numerous combat operations and has been a source of pride for the cit-19 izens of Idaho; and20 WHEREAS, the Idaho Air National Guard is now considering a historic21 transformation by transitioning from the A-10 Thunderbolt II to the advanced22 F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multirole, fourth-generation fighter jet that would23 significantly enhance Idaho's ability to support modern air combat and joint24 operations; and25 WHEREAS, the Idaho Air National Guard has maintained an unbroken tra-26 dition of flying fighter aircraft in Idaho since 1947, developing highly27 trained airmen and distinguished combat aviation formations, and, in tran-28 sitioning to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, will continue to honor and preserve29 its long-standing combat aviation heritage that has been part of the organ-30 ization since its earliest days; and31 WHEREAS, the Idaho Army National Guard is also undertaking an important32 force structure modernization, transitioning from an Armor Brigade Combat33 Team to a Mobile Brigade Combat Team, reflecting the evolving requirements34 of the Army's operational doctrine and the need for more agile and adaptive35 ground combat formations; and36 WHEREAS, the Idaho Army National Guard has maintained an armored tradi-37 tion in Idaho since 1949, developing generations of highly trained soldiers38 and distinguished armored formations, and, in transitioning to a Mobile39 Brigade Combat Team, will continue to honor and preserve its long-standing40 cavalry heritage that has been part of the organization since its earliest41 days; and42

2 WHEREAS, these transformations, both in the air and on the ground, re-1 flect the Idaho National Guard's continued commitment to readiness, modern-2 ization, and alignment with the strategic priorities of the United States3 Department of War and the State of Idaho; and4 WHEREAS, the men and women of the Idaho National Guard have demonstrated5 extraordinary professionalism, dedication, and sacrifice in service to the6 State of Idaho and the United States of America, and their willingness to em-7 brace transformational change reflects their enduring commitment to excel-8 lence; and9 WHEREAS, the Idaho Legislature recognizes the vital importance of sus-10 taining robust investment, training resources, and community support for11 the Idaho National Guard as it navigates these transitions, ensuring that12 Idaho's guardsmen remain ready to answer the call whenever and wherever they13 are needed.14 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Second Regular15 Session of the Sixty-eighth Idaho Legislature, the House of Representatives16 and the Senate concurring therein, that the Legislature hereby expresses its17 wholehearted support for the Idaho National Guard's efforts to modernize its18 force structure, recognizing the importance of both the proposed transition19 of the Idaho Air National Guard from the A-10 Thunderbolt II to the F-1620 Fighting Falcon and the Idaho Army National Guard's transition from an Armor21 Brigade Combat Team to a Mobile Brigade Combat Team.22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature commends the soldiers and23 airmen of the Idaho National Guard for their continued service, sacrifice,24 and commitment to defending the State of Idaho and the United States of Amer-25 ica, and remains committed to providing the best training, equipment, and26 support to our Idaho National Guard.27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature calls on all citizens of28 Idaho to join in recognizing and honoring the members of the Idaho National29 Guard, our neighbors, family members, and fellow Idahoans, who stand ready30 to serve with honor and valor.31