Vermont Air National Guard hails court decision on F-35s near Burlington

COLCHESTER, Vt. — The Vermont Air National Guard is hailing a federal judge's decision that appears to give a green light to allowing a new generation of fighter jets to be based in the Burlington area.

U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey Crawford ruled Wednesday that a U.S. Air Force environmental impact statement is sufficient to allow F-35 fighter jets to be based in the Burlington area beginning in 2019.

The Stop the F-35 Coalition and six area residents, later joined by the city of Winooski and backed by South Burlington, sued to challenge the adequacy of the environmental review.

Major Gen. Steven Cray, Vermont's adjutant general, says he's glad the lawsuit has been resolved in the Air Force's favor.

Gov. Peter Shumlin says the decision secures Air-Guard-related jobs in the Burlington area.

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