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Noise on neighbors’ minds as Barnes airbase eyes new jets

Date: 8/31/2022

WESTFIELD – Neighbors of Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport asked questions and voiced concerns about new jets for the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing at two public forums in August.

The 104th Fighter Wing stationed at Barnes is one of four bases being considered for an upgrade to either the F-15EX or F-35A fighters, to replace its aging F-15C squadron. As part of the process, the Department of the Air Force is developing an Environmental Impact Statement for each of the potential sites, as the new jets would require some changes to base infrastructure and new construction.

In creating the impact statement, officials sought input from residents, especially those living near the base, through an in-person meeting on Aug. 18 and a virtual meeting Aug. 24. At the Aug. 24 session, Air National Guard officials read and answered questions that were submitted by residents.

One resident inquired about whether either fighter would carry a nuclear payload, and officials said they would not.

Another question revolved around the alleged safety issues surrounding the F-35, and the possibility that the entire model could be grounded permanently. Will Strickland, the project leader for the environmental impact statement process, said that there is “zero chance” that the F-35 is grounded.

“One F-35 fleet was recently grounded due to an ejection seat issue which has since been dealt with. It did not affect the whole fleet,” said Strickland.

Westfield residents are likely accustomed to the sound of the F-15C fighters soaring overhead daily during training exercises, and plenty of questions were submitted surrounding the noise levels of each of the possible aircraft. Noise specialist Derrick Stadler said that noise testing has been conducted on the F-35A at Edwards Air Force Base in California, but not physically in Westfield. He said that data can be used to predict with accuracy what the noise contour map will look like in Westfield. He noted that the F-15EX, however, has not yet undergone noise testing.

Col. Andrew Jacob, an F-15C pilot and commander of the 104th operations group, said on Aug. 18 that the F-35 would be considered the loudest of the three jets when it is using its afterburners, but that would not happen over Westfield. When flying normally, he said, it would be about the same noise level as the F-15C.

The F-15C will be retired within the next decade due to the age of the existing planes and the rising cost of maintaining them. As with all fighter jet models, either of the new planes will have an expiration date. Strickland said that the F-15EX is built with a longer lifespan, which is projected to be 20,000 flying hours. The F-35 has the shorter lifespan at 8,000 flying hours.

“It doesn’t mean they would be retired then, but that is their designed lifespan,” said Strickland.

Should Barnes be chosen to host the F-35A, it would likely arrive by 2026. If the base is chosen for the F-15EX, it would be projected to arrive by 2027 or 2028, according to 104th Fighter Wing Commander Col. David Halasi-Kun.

Should the 104th not be chosen for either airframe, construction could be conducted to extend the lifespan of the current F-15C fleet, but it is then unclear what the future would hold for Barnes and the 104th after that.

Barnes is one of four bases across the U.S. being considered for the F-35. The other three are an Air National Guard Base in Fresno, CA, and naval air stations near New Orleans, LA, and Lemoore, CA. Three of the four bases, excluding Lemoore, are also being considered for the F-15EX.

Comments about the potential project can be submitted by Sept. 2 via email to NGB.A4.A4A.NEPA.COMMENTS.org@us.af.mil.