then Add to Home Screen.
The Senate Appropriations Committee last week approved a defense appropriations measure providing $851.9 billion in discretionary spending, which is 2.5% above the president’s fiscal 2026 request.
The Senate committee’s version of fiscal 2026 defense appropriations includes $1.5 billion for eight C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft for the Air Guard, according to a committee release.
Most Air Guard C-130 units are authorized eight aircraft.
The mark is another important step toward modernization and recapitalization of the Air Guard's C-130 fleet — a key NGAUS legislative priority.
In 2021, 15 of the 17 C-130 wings in the Air Guard flew the H model, which needed extensive modernization, including new engines and avionics.
Today, the Air Guard has 16 C-130 wings. Six currently fly the J model; five more are set to begin converting to C-130Js in 2026, 2027 or 2028.
The new aircraft were all the result of congressional add-ons to presidential budget proposals. The Air Force has never included a C-130J for the Air Guard in a budget request, even though the active-component Air Force has operated nothing but J models since 2017.
The full House passed its $831.5 billion defense appropriations bill in July with a topline unchanged from the fiscal 2025 enacted level and aligned with the Trump administration’s request.
The House bill has funding for two C-130Js.
Differences between the House and Senate bill will be settled later in the year.
“There is no substitute for robust, full-year defense appropriations,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “In this era of major power competition, security for future generations of Americans means steady, consistent, predictable, increasing investments in the common defense, year after year.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee’s version marks $193.1 billion for the pay and benefits of service members and families, which fully funds both the 3.8% pay raise for all service members and the 10% additional pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers.
The bill also includes an increase of $65 million to support advanced procurement of UH-60 aircraft in FY 2027.
The eight C-130J are included as part of $59.8 billion in procurement and $49.3 billion in research and development for the Air Force.
The Senate joined the House with a funding boost for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
A provision of the Senate measure stipulates that none of the funds available “may be used to reduce the authorized positions” for military technicians (dual status) of the Army or Air National Guard.
When Congress returns from its recess in September, the Senate must vote on its bill before the two chambers meet to resolve differences between the bills.
Defense appropriations is one item on a full agenda in the fall, including consideration of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and addressing key military nominations.
—By Jennifer Hickey
