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) has launched a public scoping process to assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of basing new F-15EX and F-35A squadrons at four potential locations across the U.S.
This initiative aims to modernize the ANG's fleet by replacing aging F-15C/D fighters, which are nearing the end of their operational life, with advanced aircraft for improved capabilities and cost efficiency.
The proposal involves locating one F-15EX squadron at two of three specific sites starting in 2027, and one F-35A squadron at one of four specific sites in 2026.
The 45-day public input period began July 19, with a final basing decision expected in spring 2024 following the completion of environmental impact statements.

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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.