Sen. John McCain at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona
On Friday, U.S. Sen. John McCain told West Valley leaders in Litchfield Park that he is confident Luke Air Force Base will land the F-35 Lightning II, a new generation of stealth aircraft.
The F-35 Lightning II, also called the Joint Strike Fighter, has long been regarded as the savior of Luke, a base in Glendale where F-16 pilots are trained. McCain was addressing Westmarc, a West Valley consortium of business, government and community leaders.
“I can say with great confidence, we will have the F-35 at Luke Air Force Base where training for every Air Force pilot will take place,” he said.
The Air Force is in the midst of an environmental-impact study to determine the aircraft’s effect on such things as air quality and noise. A first draft is expected in September.
Although the decision where to base the F-35 isn’t McCain’s, he is the ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He is also running for re-election in a Republican primary campaign against challenger J.D. Hayworth, a former six-term Arizona congressman and conservative radio talk-show host.
Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett were thrilled at McCain’s prediction.
“What jumped out at me is the F-35 is coming to Luke Air Force Base,” Scruggs said. “I liked that certainty and assuredness and no questions about it.”
Barrett said the most important economic issue facing the West Valley is the acquisition of the F-35 at Luke. Luke’s economic impact on the state is almost $2.2 billion.
“For the senator to stand up there and say he is confident that we’re going to secure the F-35 is exhilarating,” Barrett said.
Story by David Madrid @ The Arizona Republic
Coming from a family involved with the military since WW2, I have to say I’m not impressed with the ratio of tax payer money to development costs/efficiency. It may sound “harsh” but this plane should have been developed, tested and phased in and in operation. Look at past planes for example and how quickly and efficiently they where phased it and put to use. I’m glad they still have the program, however the efficiency to cost ratio needs to come up by quite a margin to be effective in coming years.