Kiggans Leads Resolution to Secure F-35C Basing at NAS Oceana

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Navy to recognize Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana—the East Coast Master Jet Base—as a vital part of its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) force, and to station F-35C squadrons there as part of the Navy’s modernization plan.

As the Navy retires legacy F/A-18 aircraft, it must ensure that the East Coast supports fifth-generation carrier-based strike capabilities. The resolution calls on the Navy to adopt a dual-coast basing strategy, designate NAS Oceana to receive F-35C Lightning II squadrons, and submit a detailed implementation plan to Congress.

“As a Navy veteran, Navy spouse, and Navy mom, I know firsthand how critical NAS Oceana is to our national defense and the readiness of the Atlantic Fleet,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “We cannot afford to consolidate all fifth-generation strike fighters on the West Coast. A dual-coast basing strategy ensures our naval aviation forces are ready, responsive, and resilient—while also protecting thousands of defense jobs and the economic backbone of Coastal Virginia.”

Read the bill text here.

Read a one-pager on this bill here.

Background:

• NAS Oceana has served as the Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base for more than 70 years.
• Located in Virginia Beach, it supports tactical aviation squadrons assigned to aircraft carriers homeported at Naval Station Norfolk—the largest naval base in the world.
• As F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons reach the end of their service life, the Navy is fielding the F-35C Lightning II to ensure survivability, advanced sensing, and future readiness.
• However, current Navy plans do not guarantee that F-35Cs will be based on the East Coast, risking a concentration of advanced air power at NAS Lemoore in California.

What the Resolution Does:

• Affirms the House of Representatives’ support for a dual-coast basing strategy for F-35C squadrons;
• Calls for NAS Oceana to be designated to receive F-35C squadrons as part of the Navy’s strike fighter modernization plan;
• Requires the Navy to provide Congress with a timeline and implementation plan for integrating F-35C squadrons at NAS Oceana, including construction and training requirements;
• Urges the Department of the Navy to avoid future military construction or programmatic decisions that would result in disproportionate consolidation on the West Coast, ensuring operational flexibility and strategic balance.