WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR-03) announced that they secured $141 million in new investments for Ebbing Air National Guard Base to further its capacity as host of the F-35 Foreign Military Sales mission. This funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 full-year continuing resolution.

“This funding represents another critical step forward for Ebbing and the foreign pilot training center in the River Valley. The FMS mission is not only tremendously beneficial for Fort Smith, the region and our state –– it is also a vital component of our national security strategy. The Arkansas congressional delegation will continue ensuring it has the resources necessary to successfully host our allies and partners to help defend our nation and interests,” Boozman and Cotton said.

 “I’m proud to have worked alongside my friends and colleagues, Sens. Boozman and Cotton, to secure funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base in this challenging year. The F-35 FMS mission enhances our national security by improving the capabilities of our allies and partners while also delivering meaningful benefits to the surrounding Fort Smith community. I look forward to seeing this mission continue to grow,” Womack said.

The funding will support the construction of an Academic Training Center, F-35 bay aircraft maintenance hangar and F-35 squad operations mission planning facility as well as the design of future projects on base.

Boozman serves as Chairman of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee. Cotton is the Senate Republican Conference Chairman and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Womack sits on the House Appropriations Committee.