WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Sen. Chuck Schumer issued the following press release:
After years of advocacy (https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/schumer-290m-n-y-air-guard-skibirds-fleet-19522237.php) and personally visiting Stratton Air National Guard Base in Schenectady County to launch his push, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with U.S. Senator Gillibrand, today announced Congress has passed a whopping $194 million in new federal funding to finally begin recapitalizing the aging LC-130H "Ski-Bird" fleet with the newer J-model aircraft.
The just-passed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) defense funding bill for the first time includes $194 million to develop and procure a brand-new LC-130J "Ski-Bird" platform and begin upgrading the...