Member Center

The Main Stream

F-35 could be headed to Tucson

Posted: Jan 20, 2012 8:11 PM
Updated: Jan 20, 2012 8:12 PM

Bookmark and Share
Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

TUCSON - F-35 training aircraft could be coming to the air guard station at Tucson International Airport.

It's one of four possible locations in the Air Force's just released environmental impact report.

Luke Air Force Base in Glendale is the preferred location, but now officials want to hear from you.

The 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport is one of four sites being considered for a new F-35 training base.

"I think that we are the preeminent place to train in fighter aviation and have been doing, have an established track record of over 40 years of doing this mission in a number of different frames and the F-35 is just the next generation," said 162nd Fighter Wing Commander Michael McGuire.

Additionally, McGuire thinks it would boost the local economy, but not everyone is on board.

Some residents are concerned about safety.

"It incorporates all new technologies across the board has no historical safety record," said Tucson Forward Member Robin Gomez.

Another concern? The noise. Arrival flights for the F-35 are around 22 decibels louder than the current F-16.

"Those people on the Northwest side of TIA are going to have a quality of life problem; you can say well that's too bad. Their property value is going to decline," said Gomez..

Now the 162nd Fighter Wing is hoping for a good turn out so they can hear all sides from the public.

"We want all citizens to voice their concerns, support. We look to see all citizens irrespective of their feelings about it we encourage them to attend," said McGuire.

You can submit your comments either through email or mail until March 14, 2012.

All comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked or received by March 14, 2012, for consideration in the Final EIS. Written comments on the Draft EIS may be submitted to:

David Martin, Air Force Contractor, and Kim Fornof HQ AETC/A7CPP
266 F Street West, Bldg. 901
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4319
Fax: 210-652-5649
Email: aetc.a7cp.inbox@us.af.mil

Public hearings will be held:

Open House Information Session: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Presentation/Formal Comment Session: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Date: Feb. 21, 2012
Location: Windemere Hotel & Conference Center Grand Ballroom
2047 S. Highway 92
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Date: Feb. 22, 2012
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Tucson Airport North Ballroom 4550 S. Palo Verde Road
Tucson, AZ 85714

Date: Feb. 23, 2012
Location: Tucson Jewish Community Center Auditorium 3800 E. River Road Tucson, AZ 85718

Document Access and Commenting Information: To download a copy of the Draft EIS, please visit www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com . A paper copy of the document is also available at the following public libraries:

Copper Queen Library
6 Main St.
Bisbee, AZ 85603

Safford City-Graham
County Library
808 S. 7th Ave.
Safford, AZ 85546

San Carlos Public Library
89 San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos, AZ 85550

Sierra Vista Public Library
2600 E. Tacoma St.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Valencia Branch Library
202 W. Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85706

Comments

Get Adobe Flash player

KVOA.com is Social!

Most Popular

DON'T MISS THESE!

Thumbnail
HALF-OFFERS

Why Pay Full Price for the Things You Want?

Thumbnail
KRISTI'S KIDS LIFESAVER 2012

Help save lives this summer!

Thumbnail
NEWS 4 TUCSON ON FACEBOOK

Become a Facebook Fan!

Thumbnail
@KVOA ON TWITTER

Follow us!

Thumbnail
BECOME A MEMBER

Sign up on KVOA.com for newsletters, exclusive deals, and more!

Thumbnail
KVOA.COM LATEST CONTESTS

Win! Win! Win!

Thumbnail
KVOA MOBILE APPS

Get news, weather and more on your smartphone and tablet!

Thumbnail
TEXT ALERTS

Get texts for news, traffic, deals and more!

Thumbnail
KRISTI'S KIDS

Stories and videos with Kristi's Kids

Thumbnail
NEWS 4 TUCSON @ 4

What's happening on News 4 @ 4

Thumbnail
ADVERTISE WITH KVOA.COM

Let us help grow your business

Thumbnail
COMMUNITY CALENDAR

What's happening?

Thumbnail
KVOA PROGRAM SCHEDULE

What's on KVOA and when!

Thumbnail
CONTACT US

Contact info for our department heads

Thumbnail
MEET US!

KVOA's on air personalities!

Thumbnail
KVOA CAREERS

Work at News 4 Tucson

Thumbnail
RSS FEEDS

Complete feeds of all KVOA.com stories