Schmitt Secures Major Victory for 442d Fighter Wing and Whiteman Air Force Base

U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement following news the U.S. Air Force would recapitalize the 442 d Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Johnson County, Missouri. The announcement follows Senator Schmitt’s advocacy to maintain the Fighter Wing, which has decades of proven combat experience and cost-effective operations. “This is a major victory for the 442 d Fighter Wing, for Missouri, and for our national security. As one of the most historic and highly decorated Fighter Wings in our nation’s history, it carries a storied history and a legacy that has become emblematic of America’s military superiority. However, this legacy didn’t come from nowhere—it is built upon the expertise and knowledge of airmen and engineers who made the A-10 fighter aircraft fleet one of the most lethal in the world, driving countless counterterrorism operations and ensuring America’s aerial dominance. Since my first days in the Senate, I’ve been fighting for the future of this mission, and last year, I wrote to Secretary Hegseth urging him to recapitalize the 442 d at Whiteman Air Force Base and ensure decades of combat and operational experience stay in Missouri while keeping our homeland safe. I am proud to see the 442 d and the brave patriots who serve in it will continue to protect our skies and carry the legacy of our nation’s heroes,” said Senator Schmitt. In August 2025, Schmitt sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to reiterate the value of the 442 d Fighter Wing. In the letter, Schmitt urged Secretary Hegseth to recapitalize the fighter mission. ###