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 U.S. thwarted a drone attack on U.S. forces at Al Asad air base in western Iraq on April 22, marking the first time that American troops have been targeted since February, U.S. officials said. “We can confirm it was an attack on Al Asad,” a defense official told Air & Space…