Air Force eyeing Jacksonville as potential F-35 site

The official list of training bases for the F-35 Strike Fighter is now six deep.

In addition to Eglin Air Force Base, selected as the initial training location, the Air Force announced Thursday that Boise Air Terminal Air Guard Station, Idaho; Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.; and Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Ariz., are also under consideration.

The Air Force also named six candidates for operational bases. Jacksonville International Airport, the only other Florida location on the candidate lists, could house 18 jets with the Florida National Air Guard Station, said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

While the Air Force named Eglin as an initial training site earlier this year, Jacksonville’s appearance in the top 11 was not anticipated. But it came as no surprise to Nelson.

“The Florida Guard arguably is the finest in the country, and is among the most tested,” Nelson said in a news release shortly before the Air Force’s announcement Thursday.  “And the importance of Eglin to our national security — it almost goes without saying.”

U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw of Jacksonville also issued a statement on the basing selection report.

“The Air Force began this analysis with over 205 possible locations,” Crenshaw said.  “While there are many steps left before a final choice is made, this announcement is welcome news.  Moreover, it demonstrates the hard work done to prevent encroachment of our airspace and ensure our bases have modern facilities and state-of-the art equipment.”

In addition to the Air Guard Station, future F-35 pilots could leave training at Eglin and end up in squadrons at Burlington International Airport Guard Station, Vt.; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; and McEntire Air Guard Base, S.C.

“The selection of this candidate list is the result of a deliberate, repeatable, standardized and transparent process,” said Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations. “We are excited about the future of the Joint Strike Fighter and look forward to working with each of the communities surrounding these bases to ensure all of their concerns are addressed.”

The list was finalized after the Air Force looked at more than 200 installations, said Vince King of Air Force Public Affairs. The Air Force used previously announced basing criteria such as airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps, environmental concerns and military judgment factors such as combatant commander requirements, aircraft retirements and delivery schedules, aircraft maintenance and logistics support, and integration with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.

Communities surrounding each site will begin a similar environmental impact analysis process already under way at Eglin. Based on those results, officials expect to announce the preferred locations in the late spring of 2010.

Once the formal environmental impact statements are complete, Air Force officials will issue the Records of Decision and announce the final basing decisions in early 2011. King said it was too early to tell how many squadrons and locations would be needed.