Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after receiving notice from Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink that Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB) will be the recipient of modernized F-15EX aircraft procured through the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
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
BACKGROUND
Both the House and Senate versions of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) include provisions from Senator Budd’s Airpower Acceleration Act, which grants the United States Air Force (USAF) the authority to use multiyear procurement to expand the F-15EX fleet. The goal is to expand fighter aircraft production, provide financial stability to the Defense Industrial Base, and save taxpayer dollars to preserve American air dominance in modern warfare.
In 2024, Senator Budd worked with his colleagues on the Armed Services Committee to secure a provision that blocked the Air Force from retiring F-15E Strike Eagles. The jets from Seymour Johnson AFB were critical in defending allies and partners in the Middle East from Iranian attacks. Senator Budd’s work ensured these F-15 Strike Eagles continued to protect America and its allies, while also preserving jobs on base and in the local Goldsboro community. In 2025, Senator Budd worked with Air Force leadership to allow limited F-15 Strike Eagle divestment for the purposes of bringing in newer F-15E aircraft, which will ultimately be replaced by F-15EX jets.
Senator Budd’s leadership has ensured that Seymour Johnson AFB will be the first F15E base to receive F-15EX aircraft.
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