Senator Budd Secures F-15EX Aircraft for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base And Other Improvements For North Carolina Military Bases
This week, United States Senator Ted Budd (R- North Carolina), highlighted his work to secure the new F-15EX Aircraft for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Additionally, the National Defense Authorization Act secured additional funding for military installations across North Carolina.
Seymour Johnson will be the first base to receive the next F-15EX aircraft, maintaining America’s air dominance edge.
In a statement following confirmation from Secretary Meink, Senator Budd said:
“Since 2023, when I began serving the great state of North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, one of my top defense priorities has been protecting the future of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and its F-15 mission.
“North Carolina is at the epicenter of American military dominance, and Seymour Johnson’s role in maintaining our air superiority is critical to our national security. The 4th Fighter Wing has operated at a significantly high operational tempo, including deployments to the Middle East and the Pacific, demonstrating the critical role Seymour Johnson plays in defending our nation. The base is also the primary training ground for Air Force F-15 pilots and home to two operational F-15E squadrons, currently deployed to undisclosed locations in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Epic Fury.
“This confirmation from the Department of the Air Force that Seymour Johnson’s mission is being prioritized and modernized with the procurement of F-15EX aircraft is an important step toward ensuring America maintains its air dominance. But we cannot stop here. Congress must do its job and pass the NDAA with a multiyear procurement provision that accelerates F-15EX production, strengthens our air defenses, and ensures we have no gap in our operational or training capabilities. Our adversaries are picking up pace on their defense modernization efforts, and we risk falling behind if we stall any longer.”
Read the full letter text HERE or below:
Dear Senator Budd:
Thank you for your inquiry dated July 29, 2026, regarding the future of the F-15 mission at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. I appreciate the opportunity to address your questions, as well as your continued advocacy for Seymour Johnson and the F-15EX program. Your leadership has been instrumental in strengthening our fighter force and the Airmen who execute this mission.
While Air Force fleetwide delivery schedules depend on aircraft production and congressional appropriations, the Air Force has no plans to reduce Seymour Johnson's F-15 missions without replacement aircraft already in place. We remain committed to preserving the installation's combat capability, training mission, and long-term role in our national defense.
Current plans provide for Seymour Johnson to receive modernized F-15E aircraft in the near term as aircraft become available elsewhere in the Air Force. Looking ahead, Seymour Johnson is the planned recipient of the F-15EX aircraft procured through the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, if authorized and appropriated by Congress. Those aircraft will provide the replacement capability needed before any F-15Es could be reassigned to another installation.
The briefing material referenced in your inquiry discusses a potential future relocation of F15E aircraft from Seymour Johnson to support an Air Force Reserve mission. This basing action is being considered through the Department's governance process, and the final decision is expected in Fall 2028. Any future movement of aircraft would occur only after Seymour Johnson receives replacement F-15EX aircraft, ensuring there is no gap in its operational or training missions.
I assure you that the Air Force's commitment to Seymour Johnson has not changed. We remain fully committed to preserving both the operational F-15 mission and the Formal Training Unit at the installation.
I appreciate your continued support of the Department of the Air Force and the men and women who serve our Nation.
Sincerely,
Troy E. Meink
In addition to the latest generation of F-15s, the National Defense Authorization Act authorized $651 million for military construction projects which includes funding for planning and design at facilities across North Carolina. Senator Budd successfully worked to include authorizing provisions to support the following facilities, programs, and units:
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Authorizing $13M in Funding for the Aircrew Readiness Facility
Fort Bragg
Authorizing $50M in Funding for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Operational Training Facility
Authorizing $31M in Funding to Complete the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar
Authorizing $54M in Design Funding for the XVIII Airborne Corps New Headquarters at the Joint Deployment Warfighting Complex
Camp Lejeune
Authorizing $15.4M in Funding for the Ammunition Supply Point Upgrade Phase II
Authorizing $30M in Funding for the Combat Water Survival Training Facility
Authorizing $77.5M in Funding for the 10th Marines Operational Complex
Authorizing $72M in Funding for the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) SOF Operational Support Facility
Authorizing $80M in Funding for the SOF Marine Raider Battalion Operations Facility
Approving Report on Hospital Operating Room Closures
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point
Authorizing $11.5M in Design Funding for the 2d Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Maintenance and Operations Facilities
Authorizing $17.9M in Funding to Complete the CH-53K Gearbox Repair and Test Facility
Authorizing $47.5M in Funding to Complete the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar
Authorizing $89.1M in Funding for the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center
Authorizing $62.5M in Funding for the Maintenance Facility and Marine Air Group Headquarters
