US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
Secures provisions for the 557th Weather Wing, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, secured key provisions for Nebraska, America’s service members, and Offutt Air Force Base in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I understand the critical role Offutt Air Force Base plays in keeping our nation safe. That’s why I fought to secure authorization for investments in U.S. Strategic Command, the 557th Weather Wing and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency—all located right here at Offutt. The brave men and women who serve at Offutt deserve the resources and tools they need to succeed and keep our people and nation safe. I’m pleased to champion these efforts in Congress,” Fischer said.
Fischer secured authorization for critical investments for U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base:
- Over $4 billion in investments to the Sentinel program
- $320 million for the U.S. Navy to develop the Nuclear Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM)
- $186 million for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop the SLCM warhead
- $30 million for the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Rapid Engineering Architecture Collaboration Hub (REACH) program
- $16 million for the planning and design of a 2-Bay Hangar to support the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC)
- $7.35 million for the planning and design of a Supply Storage Facility to support the SAOC
- $1.9 million for the planning and design of 1-Bay Hangar to support the SAOC
Fischer secured several provisions aimed at improving America’s nuclear deterrence, supporting service members, and improving Offutt Air Force Base operations:
- Requiring Sentinel to reach initial operational capability no later than September 30, 2033
- Requiring the Air Force to deploy at least 400 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) at least 450 launch facilities
- Expanding the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) authority to procure goods and services from foreign nations to support recovery efforts for missing American servicemembers
- Authorizing an additional $19 million for DPAA to reverse a reduction in funds
- Directing the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to provide Congress with an update on the status of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) pilot program which was established during the FY20 NDAA
- Directing the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report on the current capabilities of the 557th Weather Wing as it relates to cloud technology and data management systems
- Clarifying the 557th Weather Wing’s authorities to provide weather data to the Intelligence Community