Vt. Guard says no F-35s would hurt economy

Vt. Guard says no F-35s would hurt economy
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Apr 20, 2010 13:31:46 EDT

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Officials with the Vermont Air National Guard say it could hit the local economy hard if their South Burlington base is passed over for the next generation of fighter jet.

Guard Adjutant Gen. Michael Dubie, himself a fighter pilot, told a public meeting in South Burlington Monday the guard’s presence would be dramatically reduced if Vermont isn’t chosen as a location for the F-35 fighter plane.

The F-35 is being developed to replace the Air Force’s aging F-16s.

Dubie says that even if Vermont is chosen as a location for the F-35, the $53 million annual payroll paid to employees could shrink.

The Burlington Free Press says the reduction would be even more dramatic if the planes don’t come to Vermont.



unhappycamper comment: Besides being expensive $243 million a pop, folks are complaining about the noise and heat.

when Canada Attacks!

The F-35 is sloooooooow. Perhaps our best bet would not to antagonize the Canuks.