Airland

The Airland Subcommittee is one of seven specialized divisions within the Senate Committee on Armed Services. It focuses on a specific slice of military oversight: the planning, operations, and equipment needs of the U.S. Army and Air Force, along with tactical aviation programs of the Navy and Marine Corps. The subcommittee also oversees the Army and Air Force Reserves and National Guard. Its jurisdiction explicitly excludes strategic nuclear forces, space programs, cyber operations, and special operations—areas handled by other Armed Services subcommittees.

As a subcommittee, Airland does not directly report legislation to the Senate floor. Instead, it holds initial hearings, reviews budget proposals, examines military modernization plans, and considers nominations for relevant Defense Department positions. Its work prepares the ground for the full Armed Services Committee, which has final authority to advance bills. The subcommittee also oversees research, development, and procurement spending for Army and Air Force equipment, excluding technology base, space, cyber, and nuclear weapons programs.

The subcommittee is chaired by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), with Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) serving as Ranking Member. The 15-member panel includes seven Republicans and seven Democrats, plus one independent. Recent activity includes hearings on Air Force modernization and budget reviews supporting the annual National Defense Authorization Act. These hearings bring military leaders before the subcommittee to discuss force readiness, equipment needs, and strategic priorities affecting ground and tactical air forces.