Air Force Studies Environmental Impact of Placing F-15EX, F-35A Squadrons at U.S. Bases

The Air National Guard is assessing the impact of the beddown of F-15EX and F-35A fighter squadrons at four locations as the service prepares to retire aging F-15C/D aircraft.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 02:56 PM ET

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Pratt and Whitney will make 178 new engines for F-35a Lightning IIs like this one. [Courtesy: Lockheed Martin]

Key Takeaways:

The Air National Guard (ANG) is initiating a fleet modernization program to replace its aging F-15C/D fighters with new F-15EX and F-35A Lightning II squadrons.
The ANG is conducting an assessment of the social, economic, and environmental impacts (including noise, air quality, and infrastructure) of basing these new squadrons at four specific locations across the U.S.
A 45-day public scoping process, including in-person and virtual meetings, is underway to solicit input from potentially impacted communities, with a final decision on squadron locations expected by spring 2024.

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The Air National Guard (ANG) is assessing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of locating new Boeing (NYSE: BA) F-15EX and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35A Lightning II squadrons at four locations around the U.S. as it makes way for fleet modernization.

ANG launched a 45-day public scoping process Tuesday, soliciting input from communities that would be impacted by the proposal, according to a Notice of Intent (NOI) published July 19 in the Federal Register. The news comes as the service plans to retire aging F-15C/D fighters, which it says will not be serviceable beyond 2026.