Lightning II fighters likely to be based at Hill Air Force Base

WASHINGTON — Hill Air Force Base is likely to serve as the main location for the first squadron of the new joint strike fighter F-35 Lightning II, based on an Air Force announcement today.

The Air Force said it will begin an environmental analysis on Hill to house operational squadrons for the new jet, aimed at replacing F-16s that will eventually be phased out. The study could take up to two years and the first plane could be delivered by 2009. As many as 24 planes could come to the Utah base.

Although the announcement calls just for an environmental study, Rep. Rob Bishop's senior policy adviser on Defense, Steve Petersen, says this is a formality.

"We don't foresee any showstoppers there," Petersen said.

Bishop, a Utah Republican, represents the 1st District, which contains Hill Air Force Base.

Petersen compared today's announcement to be just as big as when Hill learned it would get F-16s in 1979. The planes cost about $50 million apiece said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and represent "brand new state of the art" technology." There are 70 F-16s at Hill now that make up three squadrons, but those aircraft will be replaced over time.

"This is terrific news for Hill and for Utah," Hatch said. "It's going to keep Hill strong for decades."

The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, according to the Air Force.

"The capabilities we provide the joint warfighter are in high demand, yet we have the oldest aircraft inventory in our history," said General T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff. "The Air Force will continue to invest in advanced capabilities needed to defeat the emerging technological advances of our adversaries."

Kadena Air Base in Japan and Shaw Air Force Base and McEntire Air National Guard Station in South Carolina will also be studied.

Lt. Beth Woodward, spokeswoman for the 388 Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, said teams are going to analyze the various bases for suitability and to get community concerns over the next few months.

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suzanne@desnews.com; jdougherty@desnews.com