Maryland Air National Guard to add DC fighter squadron as federal budget negotiations settle

Sam Janesch, The Baltimore Sun on Dec 24, 2024

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BALTIMORE — A squadron of fighter jets that belong to the District of Columbia Air National Guard will transfer to the Maryland National Guard, Gov. Wes Moore and other Maryland leaders said Monday night.

Transferring the 121st Fighter Squadron, which operates out of Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, will allow the state to maintain a flying mission as the Air Force phases out its aircraft at Martin State Airport in Middle River.

The agreement marks the completion of Maryland officials’ three major priorities during a whirlwind few weeks of federal budget negotiations.

Full federal funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild and a commitment from the Commanders to not completely abandon their Landover stadium if they move back to Washington, D.C. were also on that shortlist — though the fate of each of them was unclear as negotiations repeatedly derailed last week.

Bridge funding was ultimately included in the last-minute compromise that avoided a government shutdown.

A measure that would have guaranteed the squadron transfer was in an earlier version but removed, as was a provision to allow D.C. to build a new stadium at the site of the deteriorating RFK stadium, which the city was pushing for in its effort to lure the Commanders from Maryland to their previous home.

The Senate passed a separate bill allowing the RFK site change while Moore secured a direct agreement with the Commanders that promises the organization will demolish the existing stadium and help redevelop the site if they relocate.

The Air Force squadron switch was handled administratively, with the secretary of the Air Force directing the transfer, according to Moore’s office.

“In partnership with our congressional delegation and federal partners, we have advocated vigorously to maintain Maryland’s flying mission, both in the interest of national security and to continue the proud tradition that Maryland plays in defending our country,” Moore said in a statement. “This outcome is good for Maryland, good for our service members, and good for our national security.”

The announcement did not include details about how the transfer could change operations for the 121st squadron, how many aircraft and staff are involved or when the transfer might happen.

Divesting the A-10 “Warthog” attack aircraft in the 104th Fighter Squadron in Maryland is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2025 and a cybersecurity mission had been planned in its place.

Maryland Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Drew E. Dougherty said in a statement the “transition is the first step in delivering a path where we can maintain our highly experienced pilots and maintainers, positions that are critically manned across the total force, while still keeping Maryland at the forefront of cyber operations.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, called it a “win-win scenario” that preserves Maryland’s flying mission and the work of the 121st squadron.

“We worked to secure this re-designation because it will provide stability at Joint Base Andrews, while simultaneously improving the current manning shortfalls of pilots and maintainers across the National Capitol Region,” Van Hollen said.

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