Updated at 4:27 p.m.
Despite fierce opposition from many in the community, the F-35 fighter plane will be based at Burlington International Airport starting in 2020, authorities announced today.
The much-anticipated decision by the U.S. Air Force was announced during a raucous ceremony attended by Sen. Patrick Leahy, Gov. Peter Shumlin, and Vermont Air National Guard Adjutant General Steven Cray inside a Air National Guard hangar.
“Today is a historic day for the Vermont National Guard. This is a milestone event for the Air Force in its next steps in securing the citizens of the United States,” Cray said.
Leahy and Shumlin both hailed what they called a major “grassroots” campaign in support of the planes.
“I’ve never seen such a grassroots effort in this state,” Leahy said.
But it wasn’t a universal one. Today’s announcement came in the wake of protracted opposition from residents who worry that the jets and their noise will disrupt neighborhoods and threaten public health. Opponents of the Burlington basing said they aren’t giving up their fight.
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Funny to see @SenatorLeahy at this event when he previously tried distancing himself from the debate by stating his office has no influence on the decision. Anything for a photo op!
While I support the F35’s Leahy commenting he had never seen such a grass root effort in Vt. confirms he is totally out of touch with Vermont issues.
It’s so popular…that you had to make the announcement to a closed room of only military folk. Shocking.
Liberal senators for peace? How do you spell hypocrite? Leahy, or is it Sanders, or is it Welch, or is it Shumlin, or is it Weinberger? Would these same mealy-mouthed pork-barrelers rejoice if a company building land mines and bombs were to move into Burlington, hiring 1,000 people? OOOOOO, look at all the good jobs. You idiots don’t realize that you are forever condemning the U.S. to perpetual war. This is a pact with the Devil. We need NON-DEFENSE jobs rebuilding our infrastructure. None of you or your supporters will ever get another vote or measure of praise from this family. You have hopped aboard the military/industrial/government train at the expense of some of our most vulnerable citizens. Rah! Rah! Wave the flag, after all the red stands for blood.
I totally agree! I think it is a sad day that these so called Vermont “representatives” literally ignored the voices of the thousands of people that elected them. Can’t help but think that some favor was called in by Leahy to have Burlington picked as being the “most ideal” location (really?) over the already military base-friendly states of Florida and South Carolina. He further washes his hands from this decision when he expresses his “faith” in the Air Guard to mitigate the noise from the F-35…if they can’t even do that with the current F-16, what makes you think they will be willing to do so with this higher decibel one? To save 1,000 VANG jobs, thousands of us have to suffer accelerated and detrimental noise levels, low flying passes over our neighborhoods, decreased property values, environment problems and the high risk potential for an accident. Shame on the “Fab Five” for thinking that this military decision was the ONLY solution to boost Vermont’s economy and that this decision will be a popular one just because you five said so. I for one, will not vote for them again,,,
I am pretty sure it was at the base so the Airman who will be responsible for making this happen would be the first to know; however, I am thinking it would have been well received even on the steps of city hall, judging by the overwhelmingly positive reaction I saw when I left work today.
Go VTANG!!! The best never rest.
10,000 pre-paid postage postcards with several factual errors does not a “grass roots effort” make. Leahy’s failure to meet with or even talk to the F-35 opponents is a clear demonstration that he considers the views of the Chamber of Commerce superior to the views of the people. Typically we call that a Republican concept! Leahy owes an apology to thousands of Vermonters who sought to simply talk to him about this issue. He refused!!
Leahy! What is best in life?
“To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their activists.”
Possibly. There’s a lot to be said for a captive audience who is unable to respond negatively to your announcement, though.
Perhaps I’m just more suspicious of motives than you are.
Personally though, everyone I’ve spoken to is really disappointed in this decision, and many are angry. I know almost no one who responded positively.
It also effects many, many more people than the Airmen who will fly them. To choose such a closed setting to make the announcement seems suspect to me. You can invite the Air Guard AND the public to a location off-base/near-base.
“Opponents of the Burlington basing said they aren’t giving up their fight.”
No of course not. They will fight to the bitter end.
Of course these are the same people complaining of Republican’s continuously trying to repeal ObamaCare, but what’s a little hypocrisy in Vermont…
This is ABSOLUTELY unbelievable! “Leahy and Shumlin both hailed what they called a major “grassroots†campaign in support of the planes. “I’ve never seen such a grassroots effort in this state,†Leahy said.
OMG – Not by any stretch of his over-vivid imagination could Leahy call the proponent’s $100,000+ campaign of postcard, TV and print ads and personal escort service to Eglin a “grassroots” campaign. Instead of a grassroots campaign, it was a bought-and-paid for effort by the wealthy private and corporate interests who support the basing, at Leahy’s behest.
The TRUE grassroots campaign was waged by hundreds of everyday Vermonters donating their time, energy and hard earned money to oppose this unjustifiable basing decision.
That grassroots remark is about as full of BS as when Leahy stated that he had spoken with “dozens and dozens and dozens” of opponents. I am afraid this man has become so delusional and out of touch with everyday Vermonters that he believes he deserves getting whatever he wants, despite the harm it will inflict on real people in residential communities. He doesn’t seem to understand that thousands of Vermonters will despise and oppose his “reward” to Vermont for the rest of his years.
Some of the Leftists in Vermont are hypocrites and they know it. They believe that their leftist ends justify any means. Including bald-faced hypocrisy.
Others are hypocrites because they’re completely clueless. These are the morons who shout “state’s rights” because they want VT to be able to shut down Vermont Yankee but who shout “federal supremacy” when states try to limit voting rights or access to abortion. The contradiction in these positions does not even see to register with these morons. Then there’s the environmentalist-hypocrites who support renewable energy facilities anywhere and everywhere — except near their house. These people are clueless hypocrites because they’ve actually convinced themselves that the project is “wrong for this location.”
But whether it’s the intentional or the clueless variety, it’s still blatant hypocrisy
So far I haven’t heard anyone bring up the idea that by 2020 manned military aircraft will be obsolete having been replaced by drones. Regardless of your thoughts on f35s in VT, this is a probable future.
All true but the main payload to be delivered by the years behind schedule F-35 is corporate welfare. Like horse cavalry, the proud era of the fighter jock is coming to a close, F-35 is their last hurrah.