Town prepares to fight for F-35 this Friday

As part of the consideration process to base the F-35 joint strike fighter at places like Mountain Home Air Force Base, the Air Force holds public scoping meetings next week. The open houses run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the following locations: 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

After Grand View hosted them on Tuesday, and with Boise residents greeting them tonight, Mountain Home will welcome an Air Force team exploring the possibility of bringing a new fighter program to Idaho.

During an open house Friday evening at Hacker Middle School, the Air Force representatives will outline the F-35 Lightning II program and allow people here to ask questions or air concerns about the next-generation fighter.

Friday's meeting concludes a series of similar briefings held in other communities across the United States also under consideration to house the Air Force fighter program. Mountain Home Air Force Base is one of five locations on the Air Force's short list of operational F-35 bases. Meanwhile, the Air Force continues to look at Gowen Field and four other installations to serve as joint strike fighter training bases.

At most, the Air Force would base up to three squadrons of the F-35 at the selected operational bases. Each squadron would include up to 20 fighters each along with hundreds of additional maintenance specialists, pilots and weapons officers.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Feb. 17, 2010, edition of the Mountain Home News, or click on the following link to subscribe to the online edition.