Gov. Butch Otter
Two Idaho military bases are under consideration to be homes for the new F-35 Lightning 2 Joint Strike Fighter.
Mountain Home Air Force Base and Boise’s Gowen Field have made the U.S. Air Force’s short list for training and operations for the new aircraft.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter was in Boise this week, touting how the F-35 mission could result in 3,000 jobs to the area, and have a strong economic impact across the state.
Gov. Otter talks of the F-35 mission’s economic impact on Idaho.
The governor believes the effort behind securing the mission in Idaho should be centered around what is best for the long term national security interests of the country. He says with the Saylor Creek training range located nearby, F-35 jets can begin training shortly after leaving either Mountain Home or Gowen Field.
Otter explains why Idaho is the best choice for the F-35 mission.
Mountain Home is a finalist for operations and Gowen Field is a finalist for training, so they are not in competition with each other for selection.
