It's Official: F-35C fighter will make its home at NAS Lemoore

Thursday, October 2, 2014 - 4:46pm

The F-35C now headed to Naval Air Station Lemoore

The Navy finally made it official and announced this week that after several years of carefully weighing the strategic, operational, and environmental consequences of where to locate its newest jet fighter, it has opted for the place just about everybody thought was perfect, and decided to base the F-35C aircraft at Naval Air Station, Lemoore.

The final recommendation was delivered as part of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for U.S. Navy F-35C West Coast Home basing. In the end it came down to Naval Air Facility, El Central and NAS Lemoore, and because of Lemoore’s existing infrastructure, among other reasons, the Navy recommended Lemoore.

“I have been a longtime advocate of homebasing the Pacific Fleet’s F-35C Joint Strike Fighters at NAS Lemoore," said Congressman David Valadao in announcing the decision. "Not only is NAS Lemoore most suitable to cost effectively meet the mission requirements for basing, but this decision will also benefit our local communities. The basing of the F-35C fleet is estimated to require 751 new military and contractor personnel for mission support. With an estimated $36.5 million in annual payroll, this will inject much needed economic stimulus into our suffering region.”

A total of 100 F-35C aircraft in seven Navy Pacific Fleet squadrons (10 aircraft per squadron) and the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) (30 aircraft) will be based at NAS Lemoore beginning in 2016. The proposed action will be completed by 2028. The Navy has determined that locating their newest fighter in Lemoore best meets the operational needs of the Navy and, where feasible, minimizes potential environmental impacts.

All this was good news to local officials. "This is a very exciting time for the City of Lemoore and NAS Lemoore. It will be great to welcome new navy personnel and their families to Lemoore," said Lemoore Mayor Lois Wynne. "This will be a great opportunity for economic development and growth."

Lemoore Chamber Executive Director Jenny MacMurdo called the decision a great thing for Lemoore and Kings County. "The Lemoore Chamber of Commerce is incredibly pleased to hear the decision has finally been made," she said. "This decision not only impacts our Navy community, but will also be of benefit to our entire community."

F-35C launch video

The 100 F-35C aircraft will replace 70 aging FA-18 Hornet aircraft. As a result, aircraft based at NAS Lemoore will gradually increase by a total of 30 aircraft by 2028. Although this action calls for an increase of 30 aircraft based at NAS Lemoore, the FA-18C FRS with 30 aircraft assigned was disestablished in 2013.

When the F-35C becomes operational (in about 2018), the number of aircraft based at NAS Lemoore will be similar to 2013 levels. There will be no changes in aircraft based at NAF El Centro. Basing the F-35C at NAS Lemoore will result in an increase of about 68,400 operations per year at NAS Lemoore and an increase of about 800 operations per year at NAF El Centro.

The Record of Decision is available for review at www.navyf35cwestcoasteis.com and is being distributed for review at the following local libraries:

For NAF El Centro area:

City of El Centro Public Library

City of Imperial Public Library

County Free Library, Holtville Branch

Imperial County Free Library, Heber Branch

County Free Library, Seeley Library

For NAS Lemoore area:

Kings County Library, Hanford Branch (Main)

Kings County Library, Lemoore Branch

Fresno County Public Library, Central Library

Fresno County Public Library, Riverdale Branch Library