Wagner Pushes for Additional Super Hornets in 2017 Budget

For Immediate Release

Contact: Meghan Burris | (202) 225-1621

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), along with members of the Missouri and Illinois Congressional delegations, sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services Committee and House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, urging them to add 14 additional F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to the President’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget.

This request is in response to a U.S. Naval tactical aviation shortfall during ongoing wartime operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) provided Congress with an “unfunded requirement” request of 14 additional Super Hornets above the President’s budget to appropriately address this aviation shortfall.

“In years past, your committees have been incredibly responsive to the warfighter’s most pressing needs. The Navy’s budget and its unfunded requirement request demonstrate how important tactical aviation is to its mission, and the Super Hornet is providing that critical capability today at the most affordable cost,” the Members wrote.

Yesterday, Congresswoman Wagner testified before the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee to reiterate the serious need for additional Super Hornets.

“Each day we learn of a new threat from ISIS or a rogue terrorist regime, and the United States must stand ready to defend and protect,” said Congresswoman Wagner. “Given the critical capability that the Super Hornet provides for ongoing Navy wartime operations, any shortfall is dangerous to our ability to project force throughout the world.”

Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen shared his support for Congresswoman Wagner’s request. “At a time of growing threats to the U.S., it is critical that we provide our military with the tools and equipment necessary to defeat terrorism,” said Chairman Frelinghuysen. “I appreciate Congresswoman Wagner’s strong support for Super Hornets. Her advocacy has been instrumental in ensuring naval aviation maintains a level of capability and readiness to defeat such foreign threats.”

Earlier this month, Wagner testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the same issue. The Super Hornets are currently produced and maintained by Boeing at a factory in St. Louis, Missouri.

Full letter here: http://wagner.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/wagner.house.gov/files/Super%20Hornets.pdf