SC In The Running For New Fighter Bases
Two South Carolina military bases could wind up with a piece of a $300 billion defense project, the U.S. Air Force said Thursday.
Shaw Air Force Base and McEntire Air National Guard Station – both in the Midlands region of the state – are on a list of eleven locations that could become home to the new Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
Other states in the running are Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Vermont.
The Air Force says it will begin conducting “environmental impact analyses” of the contending bases soon, with an updated list of “preferred installations” ready for release in a few months.
The final decision on where the planes will be housed is expected by early 2011.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable multi-role fighter, one that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. It is being designed to serve as America’s primary strike fighter over the next four decades.
The U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will all fly different versions of the F-35 – one a conventional takeoff and landing model, another a short takeoff and vertical-landing model, and the third a carrier-based model.
South Carolina fared well during the latest round of military base closings. Obviously, it would be good economic news if the Palmetto State were to expand on that win with some additional military business.
Comments
By Ynot on October 29th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
would this put SC higher up on a list for terrorists to attack?
anybody thought about that yet?
By theo on October 29th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Vermont will likely get the F-35. And possibly Florida.
With Obama, it’s all about politics.
Vermont is very blue.
And allows homosexual marriage.
SC doesn’t have a chance at this one.
By Rick on October 30th, 2009 at 7:08 am
Don’t bet on it. 2011 is just around the corner. Numerous places don’t want fighter aircraft because of the noise and operational levels.
By Stupid Question on October 30th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Theo, you’re probably right. Reward the friends in Vermont and appeal to swing voters in Florida.
By Darth on October 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Shaw and McEntire would make Beaufort MCAS more likely to house the Gomer Pyle version and that would make too much noise over the Bluffton farm of you know who (or does Jenny get that in the settlement?)