{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://roby.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/breaking-montgomery-lands-f-35-roby-congratulates-187th-fighter-wing", "BREAKING: Montgomery Lands the F-35, Roby Congratulates 187th Fighter Wing", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Martha Roby", "R000591", "roby.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MONTGOMERY, Ala.  U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-Ala.) today confirmed that the Alabama National Guards 187thFighter Wing has been selected for the Air Forces F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoby,who has helped lead the effort to land the coveted mission, congratulated the 187thFighter Wing and the Montgomery community on this significant achievement.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTodayis a historic day for Alabama and the River Region.I could not beprouder of the men and women of the 187thfor how they demonstrated their capability to carry out this special mission.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI want to thank Brig. Gen. Randy Efferson, Mayor Todd Strange, Governor Kay Ivey, my colleagues in the Alabama congressional delegation, and the F-35 Task Force for their incredible teamwork in showing the Air Force all our area has to offer. Theres no question thatourcommunitys firm support for our military installations and units made a big impression on decision makers.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs the legacy unit for the Tuskegee AirmenRed Tails,the 187thFighter Wing has an incredibly proud history.With todays announcement, we know this unique unit has a very bright future with the F-35.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs the Pentagon begins to replace many Cold War-era fighter jets with the F-35, the Air Force is selecting two Air National Guard units to host an F-35 mission in addition to active duty bases. Last year, the Montgomery-based 187thFighter Wing was one of five Air National Guard units placed on a short list of potential locations. A partnership of unit commanders, community and state leaders, local business leaders, and Alabamas congressional delegation has worked together to build the case for Montgomery and the F-35.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThroughout the multiyear selection process, Roby has worked with the 187thFighter Wing command to help demonstrate the units capability to top Air Force and congressional officials. Most recently, Roby hosted Defense Appropriations Chairwoman Kay Granger in Montgomery to show off the 187thFighter Wing as a potential F-35 location. In late September, Roby made a final push to Air Force officials, emphasizing several key strengths that set Montgomery apart as the ideal location for this coveted mission.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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://roby.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/breaking-montgomery-lands-f-35-roby-congratulates-187th-fighter-wing"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5088371001183987, "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"}