A Resolution from the House of Representatives

H. RES. 572

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JULY 10, 2025

Mrs. K IGGANS of Virginia (for herself and Mr. W ITTMAN ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

Expressing the Sense of the House of Representatives

WHEREAS Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach,
Virginia, has served as the East Coast Master Jet Base
of the Navy for more than 70 years, supporting the train-
ing, readiness, and deployment of carrier-based tactical
aviation;

Critical Support to Atlantic Fleet

Whereas NAS Oceana provides critical support to Atlantic
Fleet carrier strike groups, including squadrons em-
embarked aboard nuclear-powered aircraft carriers based at
Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base globally;

Nearing the End of Service Life

Whereas the F/A–18 Super Hornet squadrons currently
based at NAS Oceana are nearing the end of their service
life and must be replaced by next-generation aircraft to
maintain operational effectiveness and readiness;

The Future of Naval Aviation

Whereas the F–35C Lightning II, the carrier-variant of the
Joint Strike Fighter, represents the future of naval avia-
tion, providing advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and sur-
vivability capabilities;

A Balanced Posture

Whereas the future strike fighter basing plan of the Navy
must ensure a geographically balanced posture that sup-
ports fleet operations from both coasts and aligns with
national defense strategy requirements;

Consolidation Concerns

Whereas the consolidation of F–35C squadrons solely at
Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, would leave the east coast
of the United States without fifth-generation carrier-based
strike capability and strain deployment timelines and logistics for
Atlantic Fleet air wings;

Support for NAS Oceana

Whereas NAS Oceana possesses the infrastructure, airspace
access, proximity to carrier home ports, and regional workforce
necessary to support F–35C operations effectively:

The Resolution

Resolved, That is the sense of the House of Rep-1
representatives that—

1. the Secretary of the Navy should maintain
   a dual-coast basing strategy for F–35C Lightning II squadrons
   to support global naval operations and en-5
   sure redundancy, responsiveness, and readiness;
2. NAS Oceana should be designated to re-1
   receive F–35C squadrons as part of the strike fighter2
   modernization plan of the Navy;
3. the Secretary of the Navy should provide to4
   Congress a detailed timeline and implementation5
   plan for the integration of F–35C squadrons at NAS6
   Oceana, including necessary military construction,7
   training pipelines, and transition support;
4. the Secretary of the Navy should ensure9
   that future military construction and programmatic10
   decisions do not result in disproportionate consolida-11
   tion on the west coast of the United States that un-12
   determines the operational flexibility and strategic13
   value of aviation infrastructure on the east coast of14
   the United States.