Dispute erupts over DC fighter jet squadron-RFK stadium agreement
Critics are raising alarms about the transfer of a D.C. National Guard unit, emphasizing that it places the nation's capital at risk.
TroibNews 
A traditional turf battle is unfolding over the transfer of a fighter squadron from the District of Columbia to Maryland, with critics expressing concerns that this change could leave the nation’s capital vulnerable to attacks.
The commander of the D.C. National Guard and 17 retired leaders are vehemently opposing the planned transfer of an F-16 squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard. In a letter to leaders of the House and Senate armed services committees obtained by PMG, the former leaders called on Congress to halt the reassignment of the 121st Fighter Squadron, which was part of a significant agreement between the District and Maryland for D.C. to acquire control of the RFK Stadium site. They contend that this transfer poses a risk to national security.
“This is politics at its worst — sort of a backroom, smoke-filled room deal that went down at the last minute,” retired Maj. Gen. George Degnon, one of the signatories and the former National Guard adviser to Air Combat Command, said in an interview. “It didn’t go through any formal staffing. Had it gone through staffing, a lot of the problems…would have been brought to light and discussed.”
The transfer of the fighter squadron served as a bargaining tool in negotiations to allow the district to redevelop the RFK Stadium site, potentially facilitating the return of the Washington Commanders football team from Landover, Maryland. Maryland lawmakers insisted on the move in exchange for supporting legislation that would grant D.C. control over the stadium land.
The squadron, which comprises sixteen F-16s, has played a crucial role in defending the capital region, having been scrambled nearly 7,700 times since 9/11. In contrast, the Maryland Guard’s A-10 aircraft are designed primarily for air-to-ground missions and are not suitable for air defense, according to the retired leaders.
“The A-10 is not equipped, nor are the pilots trained, or therefore qualified, for the air defense mission anywhere, let alone over the nation’s capital,” they wrote. “Any move to retrain A-10 pilots into F-16s, as this proposed transfer may do, will take many years and could leave vulnerable security gaps in the skies over the nation’s capital.”
Additionally, the group raised concerns about the legality and transparency of the transfer, questioning why it was approved without adherence to the legal requirement for Congressional consent or the D.C. National Guard commander's approval. They also sought information regarding the timeline, the personnel involved, and whether concerns raised by D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat, had been addressed.
Under the proposed arrangement, 30 pilots and aircrew would move from D.C. to Maryland, while the F-16s would remain in D.C. Critics argue that placing Maryland personnel under a D.C. mission would create a divided control structure, as Maryland Guard members would report to their governor while performing federal missions alongside members of the D.C. Guard.
D.C. National Guard interim commander Maj. Gen. John Andonie criticized the transfer, stating it bypassed the standard decision-making process and would “unnecessarily” bifurcate control.
“This relationship adds complexity and may result in an accumulation of risk,” he stated in a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall that was also obtained by PMG.
These provisions were included in a recent stopgap funding bill but were ultimately among the items discarded by Speaker Mike Johnson after President-elect Donald Trump voiced opposition to the legislation.
Instead, senators advanced a standalone bill passed by the House to facilitate the RFK land transfer. The Air Force approved the handover of the 121st Fighter Squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard shortly thereafter.
These dual developments satisfy the demands of both jurisdictions, albeit at the cost of some of their respective interests. D.C. gains control of the land and the potential return of an NFL franchise while Maryland enhances its Air National Guard capabilities.
Holmes Norton expressed her opposition to the potential transfer in an April letter to Kendall, arguing it would effectively “gut” the D.C. Air National Guard. However, Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has prioritized the return of the Commanders to the RFK site, did not oppose the transfer, stating that the move is “not going to have an impact on D.C.”
The D.C. Guard directed inquiries to the Air Force, which remarked that the groups were finalizing additional details. A Department of Defense spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
The commander of the D.C. National Guard and 17 retired leaders are vehemently opposing the planned transfer of an F-16 squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard. In a letter to leaders of the House and Senate armed services committees obtained by PMG, the former leaders called on Congress to halt the reassignment of the 121st Fighter Squadron, which was part of a significant agreement between the District and Maryland for D.C. to acquire control of the RFK Stadium site. They contend that this transfer poses a risk to national security.
“This is politics at its worst — sort of a backroom, smoke-filled room deal that went down at the last minute,” retired Maj. Gen. George Degnon, one of the signatories and the former National Guard adviser to Air Combat Command, said in an interview. “It didn’t go through any formal staffing. Had it gone through staffing, a lot of the problems…would have been brought to light and discussed.”
The transfer of the fighter squadron served as a bargaining tool in negotiations to allow the district to redevelop the RFK Stadium site, potentially facilitating the return of the Washington Commanders football team from Landover, Maryland. Maryland lawmakers insisted on the move in exchange for supporting legislation that would grant D.C. control over the stadium land.
The squadron, which comprises sixteen F-16s, has played a crucial role in defending the capital region, having been scrambled nearly 7,700 times since 9/11. In contrast, the Maryland Guard’s A-10 aircraft are designed primarily for air-to-ground missions and are not suitable for air defense, according to the retired leaders.
“The A-10 is not equipped, nor are the pilots trained, or therefore qualified, for the air defense mission anywhere, let alone over the nation’s capital,” they wrote. “Any move to retrain A-10 pilots into F-16s, as this proposed transfer may do, will take many years and could leave vulnerable security gaps in the skies over the nation’s capital.”
Additionally, the group raised concerns about the legality and transparency of the transfer, questioning why it was approved without adherence to the legal requirement for Congressional consent or the D.C. National Guard commander's approval. They also sought information regarding the timeline, the personnel involved, and whether concerns raised by D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat, had been addressed.
Under the proposed arrangement, 30 pilots and aircrew would move from D.C. to Maryland, while the F-16s would remain in D.C. Critics argue that placing Maryland personnel under a D.C. mission would create a divided control structure, as Maryland Guard members would report to their governor while performing federal missions alongside members of the D.C. Guard.
D.C. National Guard interim commander Maj. Gen. John Andonie criticized the transfer, stating it bypassed the standard decision-making process and would “unnecessarily” bifurcate control.
“This relationship adds complexity and may result in an accumulation of risk,” he stated in a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall that was also obtained by PMG.
These provisions were included in a recent stopgap funding bill but were ultimately among the items discarded by Speaker Mike Johnson after President-elect Donald Trump voiced opposition to the legislation.
Instead, senators advanced a standalone bill passed by the House to facilitate the RFK land transfer. The Air Force approved the handover of the 121st Fighter Squadron to the Maryland Air National Guard shortly thereafter.
These dual developments satisfy the demands of both jurisdictions, albeit at the cost of some of their respective interests. D.C. gains control of the land and the potential return of an NFL franchise while Maryland enhances its Air National Guard capabilities.
Holmes Norton expressed her opposition to the potential transfer in an April letter to Kendall, arguing it would effectively “gut” the D.C. Air National Guard. However, Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has prioritized the return of the Commanders to the RFK site, did not oppose the transfer, stating that the move is “not going to have an impact on D.C.”
The D.C. Guard directed inquiries to the Air Force, which remarked that the groups were finalizing additional details. A Department of Defense spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
