San Antonio, TX—Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a senior member of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations, announces the Air Force awarded a $237,395,588 contract to StandardAero Inc. in San Antonio. These federal funds, awarded through the Air Force’s Operation and Maintenance budget, will be used to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul the J85 engine, which goes into T-38 trainer jet.

“It is critical that we repair our military equipment and technology in order to increase readiness and mission capability,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This federal investment will be used to repair the J85 engine in the T-38 Talon, a supersonic jet trainer used in the Air Force and NASA. StandardAero employs hundreds of skilled workers in the San Antonio area. I am committed to funding projects that help meet our military’s needs for airpower today and in the future.  I would like to thank the San Antonio congressional delegation, including Will Hurd, Joaquin Castro, Lloyd Doggett and Chip Roy, as well as Senator Cornyn and Senator Cruz for their commitment in making our nation stronger and safer.”  

As a senior member of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $42.7 billion for the Air Force’s Operation and Maintenance budget in the final spending bill. StandardAero Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, has been awarded a $237,395,588 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract action for the J85 engine repair.  The J85 engine repair will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, and work is expected to be completed by May 2028.

The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38 for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38A in various roles.