releases: https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/press-releases/graham-biggs-lead-south-carolina-delegation-in-pushing-air-force-to-select-mcentire-as-home-base-for-f-35a
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/press-releases/graham-biggs-lead-south-carolina-delegation-in-pushing-air-force-to-select-mcentire-as-home-base-for-f-35a | Graham, Biggs Lead South Carolina Delegation in Pushing Air Force to Select McEntire as Home Base for F-35A | 2026-09-22 | 2026 | 2026-09 | Republican | Senate | SC | Darline Graham | G000608 | www.dgraham.senate.gov | darlinegraham | https://www.dgraham.senate.gov/media/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – The entire South Carolina congressional delegation is urging the Department of the Air Force to make McEntire Joint National Guard Base the home of the F-35A. The Air Force is considering future “basing” locations for the F-35A. U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Representative Sheri Biggs (R-South Carolina) led the effort and were joined by U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Representatives Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), James Clyburn (D-South Carolina), Russell Fry (R-South Carolina) and William Timmons (R-South Carolina). The delegation wrote to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and expressed their strong support for the F-35A to be based out of McEntire Joint National Guard Base. They argued that South Carolina Air National Guard leadership has worked in lockstep with South Carolina state and federal leadership to deliberately position McEntire Joint National Guard Base to support the F-35’s mission. Furthermore, the 169th Fighter Wing, which is based out of McEntire Joint National Guard Base, was selected for immediate deployment in support of Operation Epic Fury because of its proven combat capability and readiness. “McEntire 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’s 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’m proud to lead the South Carolina delegation along with Representative Sheri Biggs to urge Secretary Meink to send F-35s to South Carolina,” said Senator Darline Graham. “I 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’s base uniquely ready to meet this moment,” said Representative Sheri Biggs. “The South Carolina Air National Guard’s 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’ve got a match made in heaven,” said Senator Tim Scott. “It 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’ most critical military assets.” “Serving 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’s abilities and increase their versatility,” said Rep. Joe Wilson. “South Carolina has long been a cornerstone of America’s 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’s 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’s military, equip our warfighters with the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, and secure our state’s role as a cornerstone of America’s defense for decades to come,” said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. “South 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’m proud to stand with our delegation in making that case,” said Congressman Ralph Norman. “I am proud to represent McEntire Joint National Guard Base in the House of Representatives, and I am pleased to join members of our state’s delegation in urging for the selection of the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing as a home to the F-35A fighter jet,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “South Carolina’s 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.” “No facility in the country is better equipped or more operationally ready to host the F-35A than McEntire Joint National Guard Base,” said Rep. Russell Fry. “The 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.” “American 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’s most advanced fighter aircraft to South Carolina. The F-35 belongs at McEntire,” said Congressman William Timmons. Full text of the letter is HERE and below. The Honorable Troy Meink Secretary of the Air Force 1670 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330-1670 Dear Secretary Meink, As Members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, we write to express our strong support for selecting the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing (FW) as an F-35A basing location in the upcoming Ops 16 & 17 decision process. The 169th FW has repeatedly demonstrated the operational excellence, combat readiness, and strategic value required in the future fighter force. As you consider future basing locations for the F-35A, a key criterion should be infrastructure to support such a decision. For more than a decade, South Carolina Air National Guard (SCANG) leadership deliberately positioned McEntire Joint National Guard Base for the F-35 mission. McEntire’s stand-alone military airfield and mature support infrastructure were recently lauded by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) as the “poster for NGB” and “decades ahead” of most bases. Additionally, the quantity, quality, and size of local training ranges and airspaces have been rated by Air Combat Command as a top national priority and asset for fighter training. These features, combined with strong community support, allow the SCANG to provide the most cost-effective and operationally ready location for F-35s. While the 169th Fighter Wing is a strong candidate due to infrastructure capabilities, it also excels in personnel and mission tasking. The 169th FW was selected for immediate deployment in support of Operation Epic Fury because of its proven combat capability and readiness. Flying legacy F-16s, the “Swamp Foxes” were the first U.S. fighter aircraft to enter Iranian airspace on the opening day of combat operations and have remained at the forefront of the mission while generating the highest number of combat hours per aircraft in the deployed F-16 fleet. This combat performance validates decades of top-notch inspection results and documented Maintenance accomplishments. Upgrading 169th FW aircraft to F-35s will maintain this culture, critical experience, and skill pool in the U.S. Air Force. Additionally, the SCANG has for many years been manned above 100% and has been objectively identified in a military doctrinal report as the nation’s top candidate for mission expansion due to South Carolina’s population growth and the highest propensity to serve in the nation. The infrastructure and personnel at the 169th FW are F-35 ready today. This is the result of a decade of deliberate preparation, as the Governor, congressional delegation, and state leadership have worked in lockstep to position the SCANG for this exact moment. The U.S. Air Force should place the F-35A where it will generate the greatest immediate return on investment, and no organization has demonstrated that return more convincingly than the 169th FW. The 169th FW represents a rare convergence of ready infrastructure, proven combat performance, and unwavering state support. Selecting McEntire Joint National Guard Base as an F-35A basing location is the logical next step. We respectfully urge the Department to recognize this readiness and select the 169th Fighter Wing in the Ops 16 & 17 basing decision. Thank you for your bold and decisive leadership of our Air Force. South Carolina stands ready to support you. | 1 | 2026-09-24T10:30:22Z | 2026-09-24T10:31:42Z |