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HILL AIR FORCE BASE —This September, the next generation fighter jet will start to arrive at Hill Air Force Base. The F-35 is getting an increase in funding from the President's 2016 budget.
The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced and most expensive weapons system ever developed by the U.S. military.
Commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, Col. Lance Landrum, said getting the jets should provide tremendous fighting capability and plenty of work at Hill Air Force Base for years.
In fact, by 2019, the F-35 will be the only remaining fighter jet at Hill, according to Landrum.
"The F-35 is going to be a great airplane,” Landrum said.
When the first F-35As arrive at Hill, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings will be the first Air Force units to fly them.
"It's going to bring great capability for the nation," Landrum said.
Landrum expects the fifth generation fighter to be ready for battle by August 2016.
I expect it to be here at least 40 years into the future. So, the skies aren't going to go quiet over Hill Air Force Base anytime soon.
–Col. Lance Landrum
"It allows us to get access into places we would have a lot of trouble getting into right now. It's not only for emerging threats, but for threats that are fielded right now," Landrum said.
He said it goes beyond the capabilities of the F-16 with a combination of stealth, electronic attack and sensor fusion that synchronizes complex systems for the pilot.
The President's budget calls for $10.6 billion for the F-35 in 2016. Hill will receive one or two jets every month for several years for a total of 72.
Already, 23 renovation and construction projects are underway to support the F-35 to the tune of $112 million. These projects, driven by local companies and workers, will be completed by July.
The F-35 also delivers 500 new jobs.
"That's 500 people living in the community, shopping at stores, going to restaurants and participating in the local economy," Landrum noted.
Landrum said that the pilots and the maintainers are eager to get the new jet.
"I expect it to be here at least 40 years into the future. So, the skies aren't going to go quiet over Hill Air Force Base anytime soon," Landrum concluded.
