{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-joins-graham-south-carolina-delegation-in-pushing-air-force-to-select-mcentire-as-home-base-for-f-35a/", "Sens. Scott\u00a0joins\u00a0Graham,\u00a0South Carolina delegation in pushing Air Force to select McEntire as home base for F-35A", "2026-09-24", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 The South Carolina congressional delegation is urging the Department of the Air Force to make McEntire Joint National Guard Base (JNGB) home to the F-35A aircraft. U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) and U.S. Representatives Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.-03), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.-02), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.-01), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.-05), James Clyburn (D-S.C.-06), Russell Fry (R-S.C.-07), and William Timmons (R-S.C.-04) on the letter.\n\nThe delegation wrote to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and expressed their strong support for McEntire JNGB\u2019s selection as the Air Force considers future basing locations for the F-35A. They argued that South Carolina Air National Guard leadership has worked in lockstep with South Carolina state and federal leadership to position McEntire JNGB as the ideal candidate to host the F-35, citing the 169th Fighter Wing\u2019s consistent readiness and proven combat capability.\n\n\u201cThe South Carolina Air National Guard\u2019s 169th Fighter Wing is a national model for excellence and readiness. After a decade of strategic preparation, the 169th Fighter Wing has the infrastructure and personnel to welcome F-35s. Add in a state and community that have unwavering support for our military, and you\u2019ve got a match made in heaven,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cIt would be in the best interest of our nation to have a base of such high caliber serve as home to some of the United States\u2019 most critical military assets.\u201d\n\n\u201cMcEntire Joint National Guard Base is uniquely equipped to house the F-35A and that is no accident. The South Carolina Air National Guard leadership has worked in concert with our state\u2019s leadership at all levels to ensure McEntire is ready to receive the F-35A. In addition, the 169th Fighter Wing has proven itself, excelling in both quality of personnel and mission completion. I\u2019m proud to lead the South Carolina delegation along with Representative Sheri Biggs to urge Secretary Meink to send F-35s to South Carolina,\u201d said Sen. Graham.\n\n\u201cI am proud to lead this letter with Senator Graham to showcase why South Carolina is best fit for the F-35 mission. McEntire Joint National Guard Base has spent decades building purpose driven infrastructure and a top-rated airspace. As a member of the Air National Guard, I know that this, coupled with our strong personnel readiness and proven combat record, makes South Carolina\u2019s base uniquely ready to meet this moment,\u201d said Rep. Biggs.\n\n\u201cServing at the forefront of our homeland defense and in operations, such as Operation Epic Fury, the 169th Fighter Wing has proven time and time again their experience and capability while flying legacy F-16s. The F-35 would emphasize McEntire Joint National Guard Base\u2019s abilities and increase their versatility,\u201d said Rep. Wilson.\n\n\u201cSouth Carolina has long been a cornerstone of America\u2019s national defense. We joined our colleagues in urging the Air Force to bring the F-35 to McEntire Joint National Guard Base because South Carolina has earned this mission. The 169th Fighter Wing has spent decades proving it\u2019s among the best in the nation, and McEntire is ready to lead the next generation of air dominance. Bringing the F-35 to McEntire would strengthen America\u2019s military, equip our warfighters with the world\u2019s most advanced fighter aircraft, and secure our state\u2019s role as a cornerstone of America\u2019s defense for decades to come,\u201d said Rep. Mace.\n\n\u201cSouth Carolina has always answered the call when our nation needs us, and the Swamp Foxes embody that proud tradition. Bringing the F-35 to McEntire would strengthen our national defense, support our Airmen and their families, and carry that legacy forward. McEntire is ready for the next generation of American airpower, and I\u2019m proud to stand with our delegation in making that case,\u201d said Rep. Norman.\n\n\u201cI am proud to represent McEntire Joint National Guard Base in the House of Representatives, and I am pleased to join members of our state\u2019s delegation in urging for the selection of the South Carolina Air National Guard\u2019s 169th Fighter Wing as a home to the F-35A fighter jet,\u201d said Rep. Clyburn. \u201cSouth Carolina\u2019s military installations play a pivotal role in safeguarding our nation and supporting our national defense and servicemembers. I know that this proud tradition would contribute to a strong foundation to support the next generation of aircraft.\u201d\n\n\u201cNo facility in the country is better equipped or more operationally ready to host the F-35A than McEntire Joint National Guard Base,\u201d said Rep. Fry. \u201cThe 169th Fighter Wing has the proven combat record, world-class infrastructure, and strong community support needed to lead the future of our fighter force. Selecting McEntire for the F-35A is an obvious choice to deliver the absolute highest return on investment for our Air Force and national defense.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerican airpower demands the very best, and South Carolina is ready to deliver. McEntire and the 169th Fighter Wing have the infrastructure, experience, and combat-ready force to execute the F-35 mission from day one. It is time to bring the world\u2019s most advanced fighter aircraft to South Carolina. The F-35 belongs at McEntire,\u201d said Rep. Timmons.", 1, "2026-09-25T10:04:52Z", "2026-09-25T10:05:46Z"]], "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://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/sens-scott-joins-graham-south-carolina-delegation-in-pushing-air-force-to-select-mcentire-as-home-base-for-f-35a/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5850861091166735, "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"}