Members press for fighter recapitalization and air refueling runway funding in FY26 NDAA
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Summary
Two members urged the House Armed Services Committee to authorize procurement of next‑generation manned fighters and prioritize recapitalization of Air National Guard units, and to fund a long‑overdue runway replacement at the 180th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City to support KC‑135 operations.
Several members asked the House Armed Services Committee to prioritize fighter recapitalization and related airfield infrastructure in the FY26 NDAA.
Representative Stauber urged authorization for procurement of next‑generation manned fighters and a recapitalization program for active duty, reserve and Air National Guard units, citing reduced fighter capacity and an aging fleet. He argued the Air National Guard houses a large share of the nation's fighter force and that authorizing new aircraft would preserve missions at important wings.
Separately, Representative Pinstra (sioux city witness) sought FY26 funding to replace runway 13/31 at the 180th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. He said the KC‑135 tanker is heavier than the jets the runway was originally designed for, and that the runway replacement was pledged in mission conversion plans in the 1990s but delayed; he led a delegation letter asking the Defense Secretary to include runway funding in the Future Years Defense Program.
Stauber provided data he said illustrate fighter divestment vs. procurement since 2022 and urged reversal of the divest/reprocure ratio to avoid squadron reductions and older average fleet age. Pinstra said the runway replacement was promised during transition and remains a necessary investment to support tanker operations and mission readiness.
No committee votes were taken on these requests during member day. Members asked for follow‑up engagement with committee staff and DoD to determine authorization and funding paths in FY26 work.