Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced that they have secured a $54 million authorization for the Combined Operations Airfield Facility at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).
“This year’s NDAA is a win for service members, New Yorkers, and all Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I was especially proud to fight for and secure key provisions in the final bill that will directly impact Western New York, including an authorization for the Combined Operations Airfield Facility at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. Protecting our troops and our national security is of the utmost importance, and I am glad to see Democrats and Republicans work together to pass this vital legislation.”
“We are now one major step closer to bringing a new Combined Operations Alert facility to Western New York. Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and the 914th Air Refueling Wing has continuously delivered for New York and America’s strategic deterrence over the last 50 years, but to best fulfill its mission going forward it needs a new facility to centralize its command & control operations and improve communication across squadrons. This $54 million funding authorization in the just-passed final national defense bill is a major milestone for securing future federal funding and getting shovels in the ground to build a new facility to consolidate alert operations across key units and support functions,” said Senator Schumer. “I will always fight to deliver more resources for New York’s servicemembers and to protect our national security.”
This project was partially funded for $16.11 million in the FY26 Military Construction Appropriations law. Other highlights of the FY26 NDAA bill include a pay raise for service members, as well as over $240 million in total authorizations for New York State projects.
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