Vermont Air Guard officials say F-35 jets arriving at Burlington airport in 2019

BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Vermont Air National Guard says 20 F-35 jets are coming to Burlington International Airport next year, despite opposition from local leaders.

Local 22 reports the jets will begin arriving in September 2019. The planes will replace a fleet of older F-16 jets.

Col. Adam Rice says the base has "$100 million in facility upgrades under contract." Upgrades include an operations building, a maintenance hangar and mission simulators.

Officials in South Burlington voted against basing the jets at the airport. Burlington passed a resolution earlier this year requesting the Air Force use an aircraft quieter than the F-35.

The resolutions are not legally binding over the Air Force, which is part of the Department of Defense. Vermont’s congressional delegation supports the jets' basing in Burlington.

In Other News

As the VA secretary departs, focus remains on outreach, trust

VA care and benefits have seen signifcant growth in recent years, a trend that the outgoing secretary hopes will continue.

Advocates fear dismantling of DOD’s extremism prevention, DEI programs

Trump’s choice for defense secretary said DEI programs eroded the military's values and described anti-extremism policies as a "purge."

Opinion

Why the military’s approach to its suicide epidemic is failing

In this opinion piece, the chairman of Boulder Crest Foundation argues that current military suicide prevention efforts are falling short.

VA acknowledges significant errors in budget shortfall predictions

Department leaders had warned of funding gaps of up to $18 billion but now believe those estimates were too high.

Women in combat ‘proficient,’ SecDef says, dismissing calls for change

Austin praised women in the military and said they should not be removed from front-line fighting posts.

Load More