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Air Force: Madison Is Preferred Location For F-35 Fighter Jets

Study Finds About 1,019 Households Would Be Affected By Jet Noise

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F-35 fighter jet arrives at the Vermont Air National Guard base
An F-35 fighter jet arrives at the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington, Vt. on Sept. 19, 2019. Madison’s Truax Field is one location under consideration for housing two squadrons of F-35s, but there is vocal opposition among some in Madison who fear an increase in noise the jets will bring. Wilson Ring/AP Photo

U.S. Air Force officials said Madison’s Truax Field is the preferred location for the next squadron of F-35 fighter jets despite some negative environmental impacts.

The Air Force’s study finds that about 1,019 households would be impacted by average daily noise levels of about 65 decibels, which is considered incompatible with residential areas.

The study also found the noise would disproportionately affect low-income and minority residents, which would also be the case in two other top spots, the Selfridge base in Michigan and Montgomery, Alabama.

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The Wisconsin State Journal reported that Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett will make the final basing decision.

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