WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a recent hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) engaged top military and civilian defense officials in a critical discussion about the future of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the Department of Defense’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal.

High-Level Hearing Focuses on National Security and Base Readiness

Congressman Davis posed pointed questions to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John Daniel Caine, the highest-ranking civilian and military leaders in the U.S. military, respectively. The hearing centered on the upcoming defense budget, which has not yet been fully disclosed, and its implications for key military installations like Seymour Johnson.

Ensuring the Future of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

A primary concern for Congressman Davis was how the Department of Defense plans to ensure Seymour Johnson remains a vital hub for both training and combat operations. He emphasized the strategic importance of the base in eastern North Carolina and its historical role in national defense.

“Seymour Johnson Air Force Base must remain an essential pillar of eastern North Carolina and our national defense for generations to come,” Davis stated. “The airmen and military families who make the base what it is today have been there for deployments more than 50 percent of the time, during war and peace. Because of our history, the base must be a top candidate for an expanded combat mission as we move forward with next-generation air defense.”

Key Questions and Expert Responses

A transcript of Congressman Davis’s line of questioning and the responses from Secretary Hegseth and General Caine is available for review. The discussion highlighted the administration’s commitment to maintaining the base’s operational readiness and exploring opportunities for expanding its mission capabilities.

Background on Congressman Davis

Serving as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Davis also sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. A former U.S. Air Force officer, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and brings extensive military experience to his legislative work.

Looking Ahead

As the Department of Defense finalizes its FY2026 budget, the focus remains on safeguarding critical military assets like Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and ensuring they are equipped to meet future security challenges.