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Mountain Home News

More details released on upcoming F-35 hearings

Friday, February 5, 2010
by Brian S. Orban
Mountain Home Air Force Base is one of five bases currently vying for the Air Force's next-generation fighter program.

The Air Force will host four public hearings across the region, starting Feb. 16, to highlight the possibility of basing its next-generation fighter program in southern Idaho.

During each meeting, Air Force representatives from Langley Air Force Base, Va., will provide information on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, answer questions from the public and accept comments on issues or concerns regarding basing the aircraft in Idaho.

"Public involvement and input has been, and continues to be, an essential component to the Air Force's (environmental impact statement) process," according to a statement released by Mountain Home Air Force Base on Monday. The Air Force uses the scoping meetings to development the environmental impact statement, or EIS.

Mountain Home Air Force Base is one of five bases currently vying for the Air Force's next-generation fighter program.

The "open house" scoping meetings run from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend anytime within these hours at the following locations:

Feb. 16 -- Grand View Elementary School, 205 1st Street, Grand View

Feb. 17 -- Boise State University Student Union Building Barnwell Room, 1910 University Dr., Boise

Feb. 18 -- College of Southern Idaho Student Union Building North Cafeteria, 315 Falls Ave., Twin Falls

Feb. 19 -- Hacker Middle School, 550 East Jackson, Mountain Home

In addition, the Air Force needs all public input for the draft EIS by March 1. Those wanting to mail comments or provide their input should send them to Ms. Sheryl Parker, HQ ACC/A7PS, 129 Andrews St, Room 337, Langley AFB, VA 23665-2769.

For more information on this story, check this week's edition of the Mountain Home News.

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  • What?! Would you rather the base not get the new wing and be on the possible closure list again? Better grow than shut down.

    -- Posted by MH Soccer Club on Mon, Feb 8, 2010, at 2:43 PM

  • Growth...are you kidding me?? The only thing I've seen grow in almost 13 years here is a flood of new houses and way to many Mexician restaurants! Oh, and a couple more dollar stores. So who's chasing the "ALMIGHTY DOLLAR"? I don't care about Mountain Home growing, I just would like to see some of the vacant buildings filled.

    -- Posted by nlimbo1 on Tue, Feb 9, 2010, at 2:04 PM

  • I for one don't want to see the base go away because then this town would dry up and blow away, too. A new mission would help keep this base off the closure list and ensure it's future. I and everyone I know is gung-ho for the F-35 selection. I hope and pray it happens.

    -- Posted by boomerbeth on Wed, Feb 10, 2010, at 4:33 PM

  • I think some of the comments made do not address the Topic. We need these airplanes to defend our country. Why not Mountain Home AFB, all that open space for training and Target Range would be a no brainer. I was there when they opened the first and second Mexican Dinner. My friend Gabby bless him made Mtn Home a better place to live. I am sure new Dollar Stores help the younger Airman and familys stationed there. Don't move you wouldn't like Boise as much.

    -- Posted by beaverstore42 on Thu, Feb 11, 2010, at 10:00 AM

  • Beaverstore42, I couldn't agree more. We need these planes. Why not here? Too many of us get caught up in the NIMBY(not in my backyard) attitude. For many reasons (especially lack of encroachment from nearby towns) this base would be the best choice. But the selection will probably come down to politics as usual. If it does, Idaho will probably loose out.

    -- Posted by boomerbeth on Thu, Feb 11, 2010, at 10:59 AM

  • I would love to see the F-35 come to MHAFB. With the 390th shutting down, we need all the help we can get. The mexician restaurant comment wasn't written to offend, but to show the lack of variety in eating establishments. I'm glad to see places like Hwy 30 and Wingers come in. As for the dollar stores...you get what you pay for. There's something wrong when a company is willing to build all new buildings for their business rather than use any of the vacant storefronts down town.

    -- Posted by nlimbo1 on Fri, Feb 12, 2010, at 2:35 PM

  • I wonder if the F-35 does come to Mt Home will the F-15s leave besides the 390th. If so we will just have swap out man for man and there will be no net gain.

    -- Posted by twestall on Mon, Feb 15, 2010, at 8:09 AM
  • *

    I survived through two BRAC closures and have been back to both towns since. Luckily one was in a town larger than Boise so all though the local community went through some rough times, they were able to survive it. The other base is a different story. It was very similiar in make-up to Mt Home and when I went back, it was a ghost town. The problem with both bases was a lack of ability to adapt to large changes in missions. I do not think we have that issue here in Mt Home. I look forward to the F-35 coming, if that happens, and the boost to the local community for many years to come.

    For those that do not want to see growth here in Mt Home, instead of telling others to move to Boise, there are a few towns in the hills, Pine, Atlanta come to mind, that would welcome you and allow you to live in a small community.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Tue, Feb 16, 2010, at 9:48 PM
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