The Air Force this week announced four new candidate bases for the first Reserve-led F-35 unit, and criteria for two additional Air National Guard bases for the aircraft. They are: Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Homestead ARB, Fla.; NAS Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas; and Whiteman AFB, Mo., according to an Air Force release. The preferred and reasonable alternatives will be picked in the fall, with the first F-35As expected to arrive in 2023. The service said it also will evaluate Air National Guard bases for mission requirements, capacity, environmental requirements, and cost factors. Air National Guard bases need to have at least 8,000-foot runways and operational A-10s, F-16s, or F-15s to qualify. The bases will be identified by this summer, with the evaluation process beginning later this year. The Air Force announced last week that Eielson AFB, Alaska, will be the first operational “overseas” location. (See also Building Homes for the F-35s from the March 2015 issue of Air Force Magazine.)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
