Sen. Boozman responds to Fort Smith Ebbing project receiving funding

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Senator John Boozman of Arkansas says securing funding for the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith was a matter of national security.

The “Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Appropriations Bill” was signed earlier this month, giving more than $80 million for the development of Ebbing Air National Guard Base’s pilot training center.

These bills will allow pilots, technicians, and maintenance workers from around the world to call the River Valley home as part of the foreign military sales mission.

Fort Smith receives additional air base funding for pilot training mission

Senator Boozman says this is not only vital to our region’s economy but also to national and world defense.

“We’re going to be training pilots from all over the world in the use of the F-35s so they can defend themselves. We’re in a very, very dangerous world with the Russians and the Chinese — so it’s really important for all of us,” Boozman said.

Boozman says the next step for Congress is to continue to get more funding for Ebbing.
He says we can expect to see it added to the 2025 Fiscal Year Appropriations Bill.

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