* UPDATED below with links to final Air Force report *

The Vermont Air National Guard is well positioned to host a squadron of F-35 fighter jets, an Air Force official said Wednesday. 

A final environmental impact statement prepared by the Air Force and received by the Vermont Guard Wednesday lists its South Burlington air base as the military’s “preferred alternative” to host the planes, Air Force spokeswoman Kathy White said. While that means Burlington’s odds of getting the planes are “favorable,” White said, it’s not a done deal. 

Once the final environmental impact statement is entered into the federal register next week, Air Force leaders will have 30 days or more to make a final decision. 

“The Burlington Air National Guard station is the preferred alternative in the final EIS to receive the F-35 operational air craft,” White told Seven Days. “So that means that right now it looks favorable the Guard’s first operational F-35 will be stationed there.”

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Paul Heintz was part of the Seven Days news team from 2012 to 2020. He served as political editor and wrote the "Fair Game" political column before becoming a staff writer.

4 replies on “Vermont Remains “Preferred Alternative” to Host F-35, Air Force Says”

  1. Cue opponents disputing the numbers in support or against basing the F-35 at BTV, citing an outdated EIS, in 3 – 2 – 1 …

  2. How many people who signed the petition actually live near the base? How about the post card senders? If they don’t live in the neighborhood, do they have plans to buy homes near the base? Lots of homes in the neighborhood are for sale.
    It’s easy to support the F35 when it’s not *your* house that will be knocked down when the 65 dB zone expands. There’s reason the pro-F35 ribbons are green.

  3. Liz is right, when will Bernie move from the peace and quiet of the NNE to the area around the airport? Welch and Leahy will never move there either. And Shumlin just built his cabin well away from any problems associated with the airport. A ton of postcards from people who have no skin in the game are meaningless.

  4. They have already revamped the back side of the Air Guard obviously the decision has been made whether we like it or not.

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