Vermont welcomes selection as possible home of fighter jets
Some residents worry about noise near the air base
MONTPELIER — Vermont’s selection as one of the possible bases for a new generation of military fighter jet was welcomed by the state’s top military official, but local residents remain concerned about what it would mean for communities surrounding the Air Guard base in South Burlington.
The US Air Force announced yesterday that bases in Arizona, Florida, Utah, and Vermont had been selected as possible homes for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
“It’s historic,’’ said Major General Michael Dubie, commander of the Vermont National Guard. “It means Vermont is still in the running.’’
A final decision will be made next year, he said.
If Vermont is ultimately chosen to host the F-35, the first planes could begin arriving in fiscal 2018.
That would help keep the base, home to 18 aging F-16s, at current employment levels, Dubie said.
The Air Guard base has about 400 full-time employees.
“On many levels — jobs, relevance to the United States military, overall economic impact — this is a huge step in the right direction for the state of Vermont,’’ Dubie said.
Not everyone is eager to get the new fighter jets, though. Some in South Burlington worry about noise levels from the takeoffs.
An environmental impact study is still underway, aimed at measuring the impact of the jets on the community.
“Increasing the airport noise is a concern to us,’’ said Mark Boucher, chairman of the South Burlington City Council. “We need to see the conclusion of that study and understand what that’s going to mean to the surrounding neighborhood.
“We have to look out for the neighborhoods and the town, from a noise standpoint,’’ he said, “but we also understand the importance of the Guard as a resource and an employer.’’
US Senator Patrick Leahy said he has asked the Air Force for information about the noise profile of the new jets and how it can be mitigated during takeoffs and landings.
But he welcomed the news.
“Just as cream rises to the top, the Vermont Air National Guard’s stellar tradition of quality and performance has carried Vermont to the top of this rarefied list,’’ said Leahy, Democrat of Vermont. “The Air Force’s rigorous review of personnel and facilities across the country has confirmed the Vermont Guard’s superb performance and capabilities.’’
