US Air Force Considering Homestead Air Reserve Base for F-35 Transition
The US Air Force has named Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida as a leading candidate to replace its F-16s with F-35 Lightning IIs, despite hurricane risks.
The United States Air Force announced that Homestead Air Reserve Base is a leading candidate to transition from General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons to Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs. The base's 482nd Fighter Wing would be the next Air Reserve Component unit to modernize under an ongoing effort across Reserve and Guard squadrons. The announcement was made on May 8, according to the source article.
Homestead is located in southern Florida, an area prone to hurricanes. The article notes concern about potential hurricane damage to the aircraft and squadron facilities as a consideration in the decision.
It remains a candidate, not a final selection. The transition would involve replacing the legacy fourth-generation F-16s with the fifth-generation F-35s.
The source article frames the story around the risk of basing advanced stealth fighters on a coastline that has been flattened by hurricanes in the past.
Sources
- simpleflying.comWhy The US Air Force Is Betting Its Newest Stealth Fighters On A Hurricane-Flattened Florida Coastline