The potential introduction of the F-35 to Vermont by the state’s Air National Guard has raised concern among some residents—also the noise issue—according to the Burlington Free Press (report) and WCAX (report). But Vermont Air Guardsmen are urging their neighbors not to compare Vermont to, say, Florida, where some have taken a dim view of the new F-35 joint schoolhouse going in at Eglin Air Force Base. Vermont ANG Lt. Col. Chris Caputo believes the on-going environmental impact study for the Air Guard’s Burlington Airport facility would likely show less noise at takeoff than the current F-16 fighters, unlike Eglin where the training center’s numerous takeoffs and landings would necessarily generate more noise.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.