Jax being considered as home for Air Force's newest jets

[jtwestside]

It's not "the only way" but it is one way. And here is one reason why it's such a sensitive subject.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-10-02/story/vision_for_jacksonville%E2%80%99s_cecil_field_not_yet_come_to_fruition

I think what it boils down to is that it's a good thing for our city and it does mean growth. I see no reason to oppose it. I've heard the arguments around the noise... etc ... and my reply to that is that if we had the sprawl under control that is encroaching on the bases/airport in the first place that wouldn't be an issue. The other arguments are based in a dislike of the military or whatever they think it represents in general. Those are things thing that have nothing to do with Jacksonville or whether it’s good for the city.

[Overstreet]

They're not talking about a whole damn base here... Looks like a simple squadron move. IF they still want to come this way, there are other fields that could be reactivated, extended, created. As I said, IMO, Green Cove Springs, Lee Field, is perfect. ..............

This is not a squadron move. It is a swap out of equipment. The 18 F-35s come in. The 18 +/- F-15s go out. The people train on the new equipment.

"Perfect" when relating to old airfields reactivating for  new aircraft only applies if you are a construction contractor specializing in Military work.

[Sigma]

They're not talking about a whole damn base here... Looks like a simple squadron move. IF they still want to come this way, there are other fields that could be reactivated, extended, created. As I said, IMO, Green Cove Springs, Lee Field, is perfect. ..............

This is not a squadron move. It is a swap out of equipment. The 18 F-35s come in. The 18 +/- F-15s go out. The people train on the new equipment.

"Perfect" when relating to old airfields reactivating for  new aircraft only applies if you are a construction contractor specializing in Military work.

You are right Overstreet.  The 125th currently has 21 F-15s.  I'm not exacty sure since they just acquired some C models from the active Air Force. So the total number at the FANG is in the 20's.

Historically, that is how the Air National Guard has acquired their jets, worn out POS from the active duty.  The national guard basically rebuilds these old birds to top shape. 

Over the past 20 years or so, you can see that the national guard units and the active duty in a more enveloped working group.  Air National Guard units are receiving new aircraft now. For example the 172nd in Jackson, MS received a fleet of new C-17s to replace the retiring C-141s. 

If the 125th receives the F-35, it will increase a few jobs and a lots of $$ will flow into the base.  But you have the majority of the workforce already in place who will retrain for the new aircraft.

[JeffreyS]

No Jax does not want the military to come back to Cecil.  The community would like to see the old base develop into a warehousing hub surrounded by tract housing.

I think Jax was pretty divided on that one. Lots of people (including me) now think we were on the wrong side by not trying to get the military back at Cecil.
BTW there are better jobs there than just warehousing.

[stjr]

No Jax does not want the military to come back to Cecil.  The community would like to see the old base develop into a warehousing hub surrounded by tract housing.

I think Jax was pretty divided on that one. Lots of people (including me) now think we were on the wrong side by not trying to get the military back at Cecil.
BTW there are better jobs there than just warehousing.

This is a misrepresentation of what the issue was for most voters.  It wasn't if we wanted the Navy back, it was whether local taxpayers should have to pay the $1 billion or so dollars for doing it out of local pockets.

Have the Navy back, but let the whole country (i.e. the Feds) pay for it.  It was a Federal decision to close it after all.  We locals tried to tell them it was a mistake and they chose to do otherwise.  Why should we locals pay for that?

[BridgeTroll]

This is a misrepresentation of what the issue was for most voters.  It wasn't if we wanted the Navy back, it was whether local taxpayers should have to pay the $1 billion or so dollars for doing it out of local pockets.

Have the Navy back, but let the whole country (i.e. the Feds) pay for it.  It was a Federal decision to close it after all.  We locals tried to tell them it was a mistake and they chose to do otherwise.  Why should we locals pay for that?

This is very correct...

[JeffreyS]

It is correct. But so is crossing the street when you have the light. You just better still look for cars our you may be DEAD RIGHT.

[mtraininjax]

With jobs scarce, we could use more military now, not less. Leave Cecil alone, let it develop into a commercial center, it will, the City will make it very attractive to more and more companies.

I always love to check out the F-15s at JIA when I take off or land from JIA. I say pack the sheds with the F-22 or F-35, I don't care, the more the merrier!

[JaxBorn1962]

Why do we feel we have to Beat are Chest Everytime some one feels the only way to make money and get Jobs we need the Military to come back. I say NO!

What's wrong with the military?  It is still the back bone of Jax's economy.  That's not to say we should not go after other industries, but it does not do Jax any good to turn our back on them either.

I think the Military is fine good volunteer's to protect this country we all love. But one day they will be gone. Just look at all the bases that have closed around the United States.

[thelakelander]

The day they completely leave Jax will be the day we cease to be a viable country.  When that time comes, economic development won't really matter.

[Sportmotor]

F-22 Raptor and the F-35 joint strike fighter were developed together. The F-22 was primarily a air superiority fighter with ground attack capability similar to the F-15 mission. The F-35 is primarily an attack aircraft replacing the F-18, AV8, and F-16. Both are real expensive.

Last June/July 09 the congress passed and Obama signed a budget bill  for 2010 that did not contain the F-22. It affectively cancelled the F-22s.

The real news item here is that they are assigning a front line new generation aircraft to the reserve component. Not long ago that would not have happened.

I just googled the F-35 I forgot all about those!! That would be awsome to see a squad of them here