{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1735", "Alford Secures F-15E Strike Eagle Mission in Historic Victory for Whiteman Air Force Base and the 442d Fighter Wing", "2026-07-29", "2026", "2026-07", "Republican", "House", "MO", "Mark Alford", "A000379", "alford.house.gov", "alford", "https://alford.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Over the past several years, Congressman Alford worked alongside community leaders, Airmen, military advocates, and Department of the Air Force leadership to advocate for a follow-on mission for Whiteman Air Force Base. His efforts includedengagement with senior Air Force officials, advocacy through the House Armed Services Committee, and continued support for maintaining a combat-ready fighter presence in Missouri.\n\nThe Department of the Air Force\u2019s decision supports its broader goal of increasing fighter capacity, modernizing the fighter force, and replacing aging aircraft with a capable and sustainable platform. The planned transition will bring 24 F-15E Strike Eagles to Whiteman Air Force Base, preserving a critical Air Force Reserve combat-coded fighter unit and the experience of the 442d Fighter Wing.\n\n\u201cThis decision saves the 442d,\u201d Alford said. \u201cIt saves countless jobs for our Airmen, our civilian workforce, and the surrounding communities. It keeps families here in Missouri. And, most importantly, it ensures the proud tradition of excellence at Whiteman Air Force Base continues.\u201d\n\nCongressman Alford also expressed hisgratitude to the leaders and Airmen across the Department of the Air Force who listened to the concerns of the community and worked toward a solution that preserves critical combat capability.\n\n\u201cI want to sincerely thank the leaders throughout the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, Governor Kehoe for bringing this matter to President Trump's attention, Missouri's State Senators for their efforts, and the many Whiteman Air Force Base Airmen who took the time to give their concerns and help make this mission possible,\u201d Alford continued. \u201cThis outcome reflects what can happen when a community comes together, when our military leaders listen, and when we work toward a shared goal.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe men and women of the 442d Fighter Wing have proven for decades that they are among the finest Airmen in the world. Their professionalism, readiness, and dedication earned this opportunity. Missouri is proud of them, and we will continue standing behind them.\u201d\n\nThe AFRC F-15E basing action represents the recommended course of action for an economical, timely, and effective fighter replacement. The current plan anticipates aircraft arrival in Fiscal Year 2031, followed by the establishment of initial and full operational capability as the mission transitions forward.\n\n\u201cThis is a new chapter for Whiteman Air Force Base \u2014 but it is built on the same foundation of excellence that has defined the 442d for generations,\u201d Alford said. \u201cThe mission continues.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-30T07:32:48Z", "2026-07-30T07:34:08Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1735"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9866935908794403, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}