First F-35 fighter jet arrives at Truax Field in Madison

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MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) -- The first F-35 fighter jet to call Truax Field home is officially on the ground in Madison. The 115th Fighter Wing says the jet's arrival not only makes history but brings their airmen and women to new heights. “This is the most advanced fighter weapon system that the Air Force has ever fielded, and Wisconsin is only the second National Guard in the nation to be entrusted with this mission,” Major Gen. Paul Knapp, the commander of the Wisconsin National Guard, said.

The F-35A Lightning II Aircraft arrived Tuesday afternoon as a large crowd watched. “It was emotional,” Col. Mike Koob, the jet's pilot, said. After touching down, Koob raised a Wisconsin flag into the air as the crowd cheered. “We really appreciate the support,” Koob said.

The F-35 that arrived Tuesday is one of 20 that will arrive over the next year. Of those 20, 18 will serve as primaries, while two will serve as backups. Colonel Bart Van Roo, Commander of the 115th Fighter Wing, said the jets are a significant upgrade from the F-16s they used to have and will benefit them greatly as they protect the skies. “It really can do a little bit of everything. So, potentially air defense like we do here on the alert mission, and we will do here on alert with the F-35, or something much more dynamic in trying to defeat air-to-ground threats that are modern in modern countries with modern capabilities,” Van Roo said.

Getting the jets to Truax Field has been a project more than a decade in the works. It comes at a time the 115th Fighter Wing says is momentous. “It really is a pivotal moment in our history–both as a state and a nation, in terms of threats to our nation, such as, the emerging threat of China. And, we in Wisconsin will be on the cutting edge of defending our state and nation,” Knapp said.

Not everyone is on board with the F-35 jets. Tom Boswell with the Safe Skies, Clean Water Coalition believes the jets will pollute the environment, make Madison a nuclear target and disrupt children from learning in dozens of nearby daycares and schools.

https://www.wkow.com/news/it-really-is-a-pivotal-moment-first-f-35-fighter-jet-arrives-at-truax-field/article_67a315d8-e3c5-11ed-bebc-2b4bbff53e97.html

[Tetrachloride]

1. Most directions of the Truax compass are over residential.

I visited the base once and spoke with a few pilots. Tongue tied really.

[BidenRocks]

2. They are still trying to figure out

How to milk it!

(chill! Wisconsin native.)

[sheshe2]

3. Vermont residents don't like them.

Winooski area residents are once again voicing their objections to the F-35 fighter jets, this time telling a group of Vermont Air National Guard representatives that regular flights from a local air base have seriously undermined their quality of life.

Appearing Tuesday night at a meeting of the Winooski City Council, more than two dozen speakers complained that the planes’ thundering noise is affecting their hearing and mental health, and increasing their worries over what would happen if an F-35 were to crash in the most populous region of Vermont.

The speakers, all of whom expressed their frustration with the jets based at Burlington International Airport, addressed councilors and three Air Guard members for more than three hours, in person and remotely. The majority of those who spoke focused on their concern about how the sound could be damaging children’s hearing, mental health and ability to focus, and how much it is disrupting classroom learning.

“I have witnessed F-35s flying over Landry Park on a beautiful sunny afternoon,” Winooski resident Camille Clark said. “It was extremely painful to watch about 25 kids putting their hands on their ears and grimacing.”

The Lockheed Martin-manufactured F-35s can reach up to 115 decibels of noise, according to the Air Force. That’s almost the equivalent of standing next to sirens and can cause hearing loss in less than two minutes. Exposure to noise above 70 decibels for an extended period of time can damage hearing, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s information on noise and hearing loss.

https://vtdigger.org/2021/09/09/winooski-area-residents-voice-their-opposition-to-f-35-training-flights/

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4. There has been discussion of the F35s for years.

We've had the F16s here for years. They tend to fly at certain times of day - like 9:30am and 1:00pm - and they're very loud. I don't know how much worse these will be. I haven't heard one yet.

I grew up on the flight path of a major international airport - I got used to stopping conversations mid-sentence. I don't expect these to affect my quality of life, but it will affect some people.

[2naSalit]

5. I used to work at the civilian side of Truax...

Dane County Regional Airport a loooong time ago. The military presence was a controversy then too.

[sybylla]

6. "...and disrupt children from learning in dozens of nearby daycares and schools...."

Not just nearby. They do their flight exercises into central WI and while there is a lot of trees, they also disrupt a lot of small communities.

In recent years they finally put up some warning signs on roads in the exercise area and we do get new announcements. Still, it makes being outside on a beautiful day somewhat miserable if it's exercise season.

My autistic grandson, who was terrified of aircraft when he was little, can have meltdowns over the sonic booms and loud but unseen planes.

I appreciate the defense and understand the purpose of the practice in sparsely populated rural areas. I just wish for one quiet summer - maybe develop a second practice grounds in another part of the state and alternate.

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7. If they fly over while I have my dog out at the park, he's gonna bolt.

He can't even stand the garbage trucks.