Post from November 4, 2022

FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) continued to advocate for new, advanced aircraft for Fresno’s 144th Fighter Wing. Costa led a letter to U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall urging him to prioritize funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request for F-35 aircraft and to provide the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno with these advanced aircraft. 

This request comes as Fresno’s 144th Fighter Wing is under consideration by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for a fleet of F-35A or F-15EX aircraft to replace the F-15C mission, which is near its end of service. The F-35A aircraft would ensure the Wing meets its full capabilities and would maintain the Wing’s critical national security mission both near the Pacific and here at home. 

“Fresno’s 144th Fighter Wing is one of four bases being considered for a fleet of F-35A or F15EX aircraft to replace the F-15C mission. The 144th is the only west coast base in the running that doesn’t yet operate an F-35A mission, and its proximity to the Indo-Pacific theater makes it the most critically strategic of these four locations. As you finalize the FY 2024 budget request, I urge you to include the highest possible funding for the F-35A and prioritize the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno as a new home for these aircraft.” wrote Costa. 

Last month, Costa led a bipartisan group of the California congressional delegation in a letter to the U.S. Air Force stressing the Wing’s importance to our national security.  

A copy of the letter can be found here.  

Original source can be found here.