VTDigger Commentary, August 22, 2018 Editor’s note: This commentary is by Phil Hammerslough, a Burlington resident since 1969. A year from September the first of the F-35 jets are supposed to arrive (that is if they gets the bugs out). Even though Burlingtonians have voted to keep the F-35s away, the Air National Guard is […]
By Sue Prent for Green Mountain Daily, August 14, 2018 Jasper Craven deserves kudos for his well-researched and insightful look (Vermont Digger, April 13) into political forces driving the rather incongruous choice of Burlington Airport for the Air National Guard’s F-35 program.. With three surrounding cities opposing the F-35 plan, a considerable grassroots opposition force, […]
A letter dated July 27, 2018 and addressed to Lt Col. Roger Bourassa (Ret.)
Whereas, on March 6, 2018, by a vote of 6,482 (55.3%) to 5237 (44.7%), the voters of the City of Burlington approved the following citizen-initiated ballot item: “Shall we, the voters of the City of Burlington, as part of our strong support for the men and women of the Vermont National Guard, and especially their […]
By Stewart Ledbetter July 13, 2018 The F-35 controversy is now a campaign issue in the race for governor. Democrat James Ehlers said Friday if he’s elected this November, he’ll “absolutely, unequivocally” work to oppose the F-35 fighter jets from coming to the Vermont Air National Guard base in late 2019. The candidate said residents […]
By Jasper Craven June 4, 2018 Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has told federal and local leaders that the Vermont Air National Guard has essentially one viable flying mission — the F-35 fighter jet. Wilson told Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., in an interview last month at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing that it was “highly […]
By Jasper Craven June 3, 2018 In an undated internal analysis of press coverage tied to the proposed basing of F-35 fighter jets at Burlington International Airport, Vermont Air National Guard leaders detailed five potential media questions “We Hope We Don’t Get.” The first four dreaded questions were often asked throughout the years-long debate over […]
By Aki Soga May 24, 2018 Update: Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson sent a letter to Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger confirming “We expect the first F-35 aircraft to arrive in Burlington in 2019.” In the letter dated May 22, and tweeted by Weinberger the following day, thanks the mayor for his “letter supporting the Air Force […]
By Darren Perron May 20, 2018 Opponents of the F 35 Jet call for an investigation on the Vermont National Guard. They’re alleging unethical and possible illegal conduct that resulted in Vermont landing the controversial plane. A one on one interview with the woman making the allegations, plus we’re going to get the guard’s response. […]
By Jasper Craven May 6 2018 Two retired Air Force officials have called on federal watchdogs to investigate the Vermont Air National Guard over what they allege is unethical and, perhaps, illegal conduct. Air Force Col. Rosanne Greco, the leader of an activist group that opposes the F-35 fighter jet, and retired Air Force Lt. […]