Idaho’s congressional delegation has notified commanders at Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho Air National Guard they have both qualified as top five locations, in their respective categories, under consideration for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The two locations are not competing against each other as Mountain Home is under consideration for the operation of up to three squadrons of the F-35, while the Boise Air Terminal is being considered for training and support missions through the Air National Guard.
The Air Force considered 205 bases in this initial selection round on various factors including airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps, environmental concerns and cost. Military efficiencies, operational plans and building partnerships were also weighed.
The next step in the base selection process includes a formal environmental analysis, site surveys and public meetings.
Senior Air Force officials will then evaluate that and other data before announcing their preferred locations in late spring of 2010 and a record of decision by early 2011.
Initial deployment of the F-35 begins in 2013, with 250 to 300 aircraft projected for delivery by 2017. Sites not selected in the initial deployment will continue to be evaluated as potential homes for the 1,763 total aircraft slated for purchase by 2035.
