Editor’s Note:This op-ed is an “open letter” from Brigadier General Steven Cray, Assistant Adjutant General of Vermont Air, regarding current discussions pertaining to beddown of the F-35 in Vermont. It reflects the position of the Vermont National Guard.
By way of introduction, I am Brigadier General Steven Cray and serve as senior officer in the Vermont Air National Guard and principal advisor to the Adjutant General on all matters relating to the Vermont Air National Guard. In addition to day-to-day operations pertaining to the Vermont Air Guard, I am responsible for long-range strategic planning; this includes the basing of the F-35 fighter jet in Vermont.
There has been quite a bit of media coverage over the last few weeks concerning the basing of the F-35 in Vermont and rightfully so. In an effort to work with local communities directly, the Guard has been mostly silent in the media regarding accusations and correcting misinformation. This approach has allowed us to provide the best factual information possible with regard to the F-35 and the potential impacts to our neighbors. As a society, we are constantly making difficult decisions and making reasonable compromises, always weighing both advantages and disadvantages. The basing of the F35 is no different.
The most common questions/concerns we are fielding to date focus on the following: noise, home values and home loans.
First, with regard to noise the Air Guard is actively educating the public that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is standardized among all six bases and does not include all local noise mitigating procedures. The DEIS further notes noise analysis will be conducted as the aircraft continues flight testing. We fully expect the updated analysis and modified local flying operations to decrease the 65 dB DNL contour from what is currently shown in the DEIS.
One fact that is known is that the F-35 will be somewhat louder during take-off for approximately six minutes a day, four days a week. Given the alternative, I feel that most Vermonters would agree that this is reasonable.
Secondly, area residents have also raised concerns about home values. The DEIS quotes two studies regarding property values. The earlier study (1978) indicated that there was a negative impact on housing values. The more recent study (1996), however, states that airport “noise has no meaningful effect on residential property values.” There is no factual data to support that military flight operations at the airport have negatively affected local property values. In my opinion, based on local history, a subjective assessment that it will not have negative impact in the future can be made.
Finally, residents have expressed concerns about home loans. Again, to date, no supporting data is available to suggest that certain government loans will not be approved within the noise contours of the airport. In fact, we have recently received information from HUD stating that there would be no change in federal loans.
At the public hearing on May 14th, I opened the session with a statement and three key points. To reiterate, over six hundred members of the Air Guard live in the surrounding communities of the airport. What affects the airport community affects members of the Air Guard as well. Clearly, the Burlington airport is a vital economic engine for Vermont and there are over four hundred
full-time jobs and six hundred part-time jobs at the VT Air Guard.
Let me close by stating that each and every member of the Vermont Air Guard has voluntarily joined the Air Guard and proudly serves our community, state and nation. The security of the United States depends on the highly trained Air Guard personnel, and the state of Vermont relies on the Air Guard’s ability to respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Irene. Vermonters have always been proud of their Air Guard and should also be proud that their Air Guard has been selected as a preferred base for this new fighter jet.
Although I cannot predict what will happen to the Air Guard if the F-35 is not based in Vermont, I can definitively say that the unit’s mission will be different and most likely will require a lot less personnel. Vermonters should consider such a loss as unacceptable. It goes without saying that I believe the transition to the F-35 in six to seven years from now is the best course of action for our unit, our state and our nation. As the process continues toward a decision by the senior leaders of the Air Force this fall, the Air Guard will continue to engage with local communities to answer questions and provide accurate information.
