AZ, FL, UT, VT to Get Air Force's New F-35 Fighter

[ErnstBlofeld]

Channel 6 News-Boise:

U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's office says the military's decision for its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to go to bases in Arizona, Florida, Utah and Vermont "isn't the end of the story."

Idaho was hoping for a $1 billion boost in the state's economy from up to 3,000 new personnel and 144 planes at two sites, but was among the states passed over during this round of selection

A Simpson spokesman says given the number of F-35s being built, "Gowen Field and Mountain Home remain strong contenders" for future decisions.

An Air Force official says the other sites, which she called "reasonable alternatives," will continue to be evaluated as part of environmental studies.

Gowen got some consolation when it was named a finalist for a C-27J Spartan cargo plane operational mission.


AZ, FL, UT, VT to get Air Force's new F-35 fighter