Upcoming debate, vote in Senate could save F-15E Strike Eagles

Efforts to push back retirement of the F-15E Strike Eagles and save more than 500 jobs at a U.S. Air Force base in North Carolina could be ready for the president's signature as soon as Wednesday.

Bicameral differences are being resolved on House Resolution 5009, the vehicle for the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025, according to Congress.gov. Floor debate and a favorable vote are expected in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. The House of Representatives' passage was 281-140 last week – including 81 Democrats.

The bill aims to spend $895.2 billion.

The Air Force was going to take away 26 of the aircraft next year from the 335th Fighter Squadron. The plan would eliminate 520 jobs at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Wayne County and retire the F-15E aircraft.

The 335th, along with the 494th Fighter Squadron based at Lakenheath Air Base in the United Kingdom, shot down 70-plus drones in defense of Israel on April 13-14.

Congressmen, including Republican U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, and Democratic Rep. Don Davis – a 1994 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and veteran – had led the fight to protect the state's interests. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said he "fought hard for a pay increase for our troops and more money for housing and quality of life investments for our servicemembers and their families."

Hudson is the representative of the world's largest military base, the Army's Fort Liberty that was previously known as Fort Bragg and touches six counties in the Sandhills. Seymour Johnson is in Davis' district.

"By pushing off the retirement of F-15E aircraft until 2027," Davis said, "we have more time to achieve a long-term solution and continue prioritizing economic stability for Wayne County and eastern North Carolina."

Budd, a member of the Senate's Armed Services Committee, said earlier, "As was made clear in countless Armed Services Committee hearings this year, F-15Es are incredibly capable aircraft that are unmatched in the fleet."

The defense spending plan also authorizes supporting $41 million to construct a Combat Arms Training & Maintenance Complex at Seymour Johnson, famed home to the 4th Fighter Wing.

Junior enlisted servicemembers are slated for a 14.5% pay raise; it's 4.5% for all other servicemembers. Access to child care for the 63,700 children of North Carolina military families is also part of the bill.

Eight military construction projects in North Carolina are authorized, spending $296 million.

At Marine Corps Air Base Cherry Point, the bill authorizes $53.52 million for an aircraft maintenance hangar, $50 million for the F-35 Sustainment Center, and $20.02 million for the composite repair facility.

The bill provides $47 million in military construction projects at Fort Liberty, including a Special Operations Forces Arms Room Addition and Special Operations Forces Operations Facilities. It also prevents cuts to the Special Operations Forces troops. The base is home to the 82nd Airborne, Special Operations Forces, and known colloquially as the place getting "the 911 call" of presidents.

At MCAS Camp Lejeune, there is authorization of $57 million for the Special Operations Forces Information Maneuver Facility, and for $27.5 million for the Special Operations Forces Armory.

There is language included restricting the Pentagon's TRICARE health insurance plan covering costs for gender dysphoria treatments for children of service members under age 18. New Defense Department positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion are also prohibited, according to the bill language.