Eglin likely to host 59 F-35s, military says - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Eglin likely to host 59 F-35s, military says

The Air Force plans to base 59 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters at Eglin Air Force, Fla., the military announced Wednesday.

The proposal depends on an environmental impact statement expected this fall. But the decision has been long anticipated and follows a recommendation from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

“This is not a final basing decision,” said Kathleen Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary for installations at the Air Force. “It is the alternative we believe will fulfill our mission responsibilities while considering economic, environmental and technical factors.”

Flight operations will also be conducted at Duke and Choctaw fields.

The planes will be used by the Air Force, Navy and Marines. The base-closing commission decided that instructor pilots and support staff should be moved to Eglin from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.; and Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.

Some staff will also relocate from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The community there recognized that consolidation at Eglin was the best move for the Gulf Coast region.

The decision to limit the number of planes to 59, which was approved by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, was based on airspace limitations in the Gulf region.

Ferguson said significant research was done during the last 18 months for the environmental impact study. She said the decision aims to minimize noise for surrounding communities.

“Our goal has been to ensure that Eglin can support the BRAC-directed F-35 training mission to the greatest extent possible with a minimal amount of negative impact to existing missions, the environment and surrounding communities,” Ferguson said.