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 An F-35 Lightning II flies overhead for the first time at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 23. A series of meetings begin next week as part of the process to consider bringing the joint strike fighter program to Mountain Home Air Force Base and Gowen Field in Boise. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julianne Showalter [Click to enlarge] |
The local scoping hearing on the proposal will be held Feb. 19, from 6-8 p.m., at Hacker Middle School.
The city is one of four communities across southern Idaho holding town hall meetings regarding the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
Mountain Home Air Force Base and Gowen Field in Boise are among 10 bases under consideration by the Air Force to house the new fighter program.
The upcoming meetings here follow similar forums held in communities also vying for the fighter program. Feedback during meetings in Salt Lake City and other communities near Hill Air Force Base offered almost 100 percent support for the program there, according to an Air Force spokesperson.
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.
The possibility of starting a new mission in southern Idaho comes on the heels of a recent drawdown of aircraft and people at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The base expects to inactivate the 390th Fighter Squadron -- the base's sole air-to-air fighter unit -- by September, following recommendations outlined by the military's Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2005.
The base expects to lose approximately 500 jobs when the squadron inactivates in September, according to Billy Richey, Idaho Special Assistant for Military Affairs, based in Mountain Home. The number doesn't include the number of indirect jobs in town filled by spouses of those affected by the fighter squadron drawdown here.
In addition to the scoping meeting at the middle school here, the Air Force holds similar open house meetings from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
Tuesday -- Grand View Elementary School, 205 1st Street, Grand View
Wednesday-- 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
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Wow Bazookaman,
I thought you supported having local business and not sending it elsehwere. Just think of how many LOCAL business could benefit from an increase in local population. Not to mention the increase in the tax base could assist the town with some of the problems they have. There are enough houses (IMHO) in the town that are empty and having them filled would be nice. Take a walk or a drive around any street and I bet you see at least 3 or 4 houses for sale.
I retired here in hopes that the town would not become a ghost town and having the F-35 here would prevent that from happening in the forseeable future.
Better the Air Force than other alternatives.
Let 'em go to Gowen. Mountain Home is getting too big as it is.............won't be long until we've become another "Meridian."
i feel the air force should put the F35 where it is the most economical bed down. To let a bunch of hot air politicians try to get more money out of the government that they are allready broke..