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Minnesota National Guard requests $3 million for Duluth fighter-wing hangar design, expects federal MILCON for construction
Summary
The Adjutant General told the Capital Investment Committee the Duluth fighter wing needs new hangars to remain competitive for future federal basing decisions; the state-level ask is $3 million for design, with officials expecting to pursue federal MILCON funding for full construction.
The Minnesota National Guard asked the Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 11 for $3 million in state bonding to fund design work for new hangars at the Duluth fighter wing, arguing the existing hangars are roughly 70 years old and risk the unit’s ability to compete for future federal basing and modernization investments. Major General Sean Manky (adjutant general) said the design funding would position Duluth to pursue federal military construction (MILCON) dollars to fund the actual hangar construction.
Why it matters: The military presentation emphasized the local economic and mission importance of the Duluth wing. Officials said the unit employs several thousand airmen and airmen-support personnel and that the wing is a significant local employer. Major General Manky told lawmakers state investment in hangar design makes Duluth more competitive for next-generation aircraft beddowns and federal funding.
What was requested and how it would be used: The National Guard asked for $3 million in bonding to cover the state-side design of replacement hangars for the wing’s F‑16 Block 50 aircraft (described in testimony as the aircraft the Duluth wing currently flies). Agency testimony stated the new hangars would be structured to support eventual federal MILCON funding for construction; Manky said the state would pursue federal funding for the building after designs are complete.
Committee questions and context: Representatives asked about long-term risks that federal mission changes could move aircraft despite state investments. Representative Tom Sexton, a retired colonel, noted bases nationally have built new facilities and later lost aircraft as federal priorities shifted. Major General Manky acknowledged that risk but said the Duluth wing is manned above 100% of its authorized strength and carries a mission—suppression of enemy air defenses—that positions it well competitively. Representative Roger Scribe and others urged the committee to view the request as an investment in the community and the wing’s federal mission.
Funding mechanics: Committee members asked whether construction costs would be a federal responsibility. Major General Manky said the $3 million is for design; the National Guard intends to pursue federal MILCON funds to build the hangars and estimated that, once designs are complete, the federal share would cover the full construction cost. One lawmaker asked whether state bonding would therefore be partial and transitional; Major General Manky said that was the expectation.
What was not decided: No committee vote occurred; the request was presented for consideration in this year’s bonding cycle. Officials encouraged members to contact the agency for additional details and said they will provide further cost estimates and coordination plans with federal partners upon request.
Quotation highlight: “This is an investment in Duluth, to make them relevant for the future for the next generation of fighter aircraft,” Major General Sean Manky said.
