Jack's Jottings
Let the Air Force do what they need to do

In the coming weeks you are likely going to hear a lot about the F-35 and Tucson. Starting March 1, the United States Air Force will be around Southern Arizona holding open houses for the Environmental Impact Statement study that will be a large factor in determining if the latest addition to the Air Force will be based here in Tucson.

As the President & CEO of your Chamber, a former service member, a member of the DM-50 and a member of the 162nd Minutemen, I want that plane in Tucson. According to a recent study, the 162nd Fighter Wing has a $280 million a year financial impact on our community. This is an easy choice in my opinion. We can open our arms and embrace this new plane and have that continued revenue – potentially even more – for years to come, or we can let a small, but very vocal minority chase the Air Force away and their money.

Before any decision is made by the Air Force on deploying F-35’s to the 162nd an Environmental Impact must be completed. This study will not only look at the Wing’s installation at Tucson International Airport, but also the surrounding community, the impact of noise from the new planes and the ability of the plane to conduct it’s mission in the region. With great weather and the Barry Goldwater Gunnery Range in close proximity, I can’t think of a better place to train the pilots for this futuristic fighter plane.

People are already decrying the noise this plane is going to make and the irreversible harm it can have. The F-35 is a noisy plane, no doubt about it. But neither the Air Force nor its builders have completed thorough sound studies yet. Let’s all just calm down and let the Air Force do what they need to do to study the noise and then start rendering judgments about the plane, based on facts and not hear-say and emotions.

The business community and all Tucsonans who support our military installations need to have their voices heard. For too long our community has let vocal minorities ruin steps forward, steps we need to take. Make a phone call, submit comments online, or attend one of the open houses. It is time for our community to be heard. I guarantee those opposing this plane will be doing the same.