TWO IDAHO SITES AMONG 11 BEING CONSIDERED TO
HOST AIR FORCE F-35 FIGHTERS

(BOISE) -- Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter got word today that the U.S. Air Force has put two Idaho Air Force units on the list of potential sites for future stationing of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.

More than 200 sites were considered in compiling the “short list” of 11 Air Force candidate installations in the running to receive the state-of-the-art combat aircraft for training and operations.

“While the announcement of potential Air Force installations doesn’t necessarily mean Idaho will get these aircraft, I am very pleased that two Idaho Air Force installations are in the running – the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho Air National Guard's 124th Fighter Wing.

“There are a number of steps yet to go before the Air Force makes its final decisions. But the hard work, community support and close collaboration of everyone involved – from the people of Mountain Home and Elmore County to our Idaho-based Air Force officials, our Idaho National Guard leadership and our economic development folks – made all the difference in getting us on the short list. It’s encouraging that the Air Force thinks so much of our track record, our outstanding facilities, and most of all the people who make it all go.”

The following is the Air Force news release today:

Air Force officials announce candidate bases for joint strike fighter

10/29/2009 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials here announced the list of candidate locations Oct. 29 for basing the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter.

The list of candidate bases was approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force and identifies the first group of bases to be considered for joint strike fighter basing decisions. The selection of these bases signifies the determination of Air Force officials that these locations have the greatest potential to accommodate the F-35 training or operational mission.

Five bases have been selected as candidate bases for training: Boise Air Terminal Air Guard Station, Idaho; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Holloman AFB N.M.; Luke AFB, Ariz.; and Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Ariz.

Six bases have been selected as candidate bases for operations: Burlington International Airport Guard Station, Vt.; Hill AFB, Utah; Jacksonville International Airport Air Guard Station, Fla.; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; Shaw AFB, S.C.; and McEntire Air Guard Base, S.C.

Air Force officials will evaluate existing F-22 Raptor force structure at Holloman AFB as it considers F-35 basing.

“The selection of this candidate list is the result of a deliberate, repeatable, standardized and transparent process,” said Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations. “We are excited about the future of the joint strike fighter and look forward to working with each of the communities surrounding these bases to ensure all of their concerns are addressed.”

The list of candidate bases were selected using previously announced basing criteria such as airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps and environmental concerns, and military judgment factors such as combatant commander requirements, aircraft retirements and delivery schedules, aircraft maintenance and logistics support and integration with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

Now that the list of candidate bases has been released, the formal environmental impact analysis process and site assessments will begin, allowing communities around each candidate base to participate and provide input into the environmental impact analysis. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the JSF preferred locations in late spring of 2010. Once the formal environmental impact statements are complete, Air Force officials will issue the Records of Decision and announce the final basing decisions. This is anticipated in early 2011.

Photos on the web:
http://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?id=123035550

###

Return to October Press Releases