Indiana approves $1M to jumpstart Fort Wayne 122nd Fighter Wing modernization amid F-35 basing bid

The State Budget Committee on Aug. 27 approved $1 million aimed at positioning the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne to win a future F‑35A basing decision. Brig. Gen. Matt Brown described two projects: $517,000 for final design of a revamped squadron operations building and $500,000 for an area development plan to map F‑35 infrastructure needs.

Brown told lawmakers the wing is competing with eight other F‑16 units and that other states are making large investments — the article cites Michigan’s recent $152 million upgrade for Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He said the state funding is intended to leverage a potential $8.8 million federal construction investment and to prepare before the Air Force’s basing decision, which he said will occur within the next 18 months; Brown also said the work would help position the base for possible F‑35 deliveries by 2034.

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