Representative Tran Issues Statement on Deactivation of Medical Evacuation Unit at Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued the following statement regarding the deactivation of Army Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigades (ECABs) on September 15. ECABs are helicopter brigades that provide essential air support, medical evacuations, and humanitarian support. ECABs are being deactivated nationwide in a modernization campaign; however, this will create a significant long-term capability gap as no replacement will be available until 2032. 

“It is incredibly disappointing that the Army has gone through with the deactivation of ECAB units across the country. The medical evacuation unit at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos was a critical asset for emergency and disaster relief missions that served communities across Southern California. Deactivating the ECABs without a clear plan for how the Army intends to fill the capability gap will hurt our communities at home and diminish our readiness to respond to global conflicts,” said Representative Tran.

“The Army's decision to deactivate the ECABs, including the 158th Aviation Regiment in Conroe, Texas, is an unacceptable gamble with our nation's readiness and puts the future of hundreds of soldiers and civilians in doubt. This decision cuts critical air assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and emergency response capabilities before a replacement is ready. Our troops deserve better, and the communities that rely on these critical capabilities deserve better. Congress is going to press forward to correct this mistake, restore these essential capabilities, and ensure our soldiers, their families, and our communities have the support and protection they deserve,” said Representative Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08).

Representative Tran has consistently advocated for reinstating the ECABs through the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act and fought for the replacement of these capabilities. The deactivation impacts 150 soldiers and 34 civilians at Joint Forces Training Base - Los Alamitos (JFTB-LA), who have not been given meaningful options to continue their service, causing the Army to lose highly trained pilots and professionals. 

Tran introduced the bipartisan Prohibit Deactivation of the ECABs Act of 2026 alongside Representatives Morgan Luttrell (R-TX-08) and Jeff Crank (R-CO-05), part of which was included in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. On September 10, Representative Tran wrote to the House Appropriations Committee leadership to advocate for the protection of flight hours in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. In a May 15 House Armed Services Committee Hearing, Tran questioned Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Acting Army Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve about the department’s decision to deactivate ECABs at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos. 

Tran serves on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, overseeing the Department of Defense. Representative Tran, who represents JFTB-LA in Congress, also completed part of his military training there as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. 

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