EXPOSING LEAHY’S LEGACY OF LIES: Week of Oct. 21
EXPOSING LEAHY’S LEGACY OF LIES — Part 2
SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER
Quotations from the Air Force’s official records of the F-35 Burlington Basing Selection Process
Introductory Statement:
“We are here to read to you a quotation from the Air Force official administrative record of the F-35 Burlington basing selection process and to get your response to it.”
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Concluding Statement:
“We request that Senator Leahy initiate an independent investigation into the political corruption of the F-35 Burlington basing selection process.”
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Day 5: Monday, October 21, 2019
The following, written in March 2013, is from the “Draft Review Document of the Environmentally Preferred Alternative.” This excerpt provides the rationale for why the Air Force basing experts were recommending that the Secretary of the Air Force select McEntire Air National Guard station—not Burlington. The Air Force Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) basing experts express frustration that some entities want Burlington selected. The basing experts say they do not have justification from the environmental study to select Burlington. They are asking for a reason to select Burlington that outweighs the negative environmental evidence against Burlington.
“Basis of Decision: While the EIS has, by overwhelming evidence, proven McEntire ANG to be the environmentally preferred alternative, Burlington AGS was previously identified as the preferred alternative. The EIS team is unable to craft justification language or rationale to continue supporting Burlington as the preferred alternative. Please provide information/evidence that may be used in the ROD [Record of Decision] to justify a decision that transcends the environmental evidence presented in the EIS.” (Admin Record #57909)
Day 6: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
On April 1, 2013, Mr Dryden, an Air Force official from Headquarters Air Combat Command, wrote to Mr Murr, an Air Force official also in Headquarters Air Combat Command about his frustration in being told to write a Record of Decision selecting Burlington since overwhelming evidence showed that Burlington was not the best place for the F-35. He states that McEntire — not Burlington— is the preferred base both environmentally and operationally. He is asking for those who want Burlington selected to provide the evidence and justification for that decision.
“Per our discussion following last Thursday’s (28 March 13) telecon with HAF [Headquarters Air Force], request inputs from your follow-on conversation with Mr Pohlmeier, AF/A8PB [Strategic Planning office], regarding advice on the identification of McEntire vice Burlington ANG basing that aligns the environmentally preferred alternative with the operationally preferred alternative. We cannot proceed with completion of the draft ROD [Record of Decision] until this advice is received. A MFR [Memorandum For the Record] reflecting the main points of the HAF/ACC [Headquarters Air Force/Air Combat Command] 28 March 13 telecon and follow-on discussion is attached for your continued information and use.” (Admin Record #57919)
Day 7: Wednesday, October 23, 2019
On April 4, 2013, Mr Murr, an Air Combat Command (ACC) official wrote to Colonel King also at Air Combat Command informing him that the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) indicated that McEntire Air National Guard station was the preferred F-35 base. Murr intimates that Air Combat Command and the Air Force selected McEntire based on facts, not personal caring.
“Were you aware that (according to ACC/A7P) [ Installation office] the EIS indicates that McEntire is the “environmentally preferred alternative?” Does the AF care? From an ACC perspective and an operational perspective, I am pretty certain we do not care.” (Admin Record # 57921)
Day 8: Thursday, October 24, 2019
On July 18, 2013, Mr Penland, Chief of the Operational Basing at Headquarters Air Force, wrote to Mr Sample, a contractor working at Headquarters Air Force saying that the evidence from an “operational” standpoint—meaning military needs—not political wants —does not point to Burlington.
“I think the important thing you need to realize is there really were no “operational reasons as to why Burlington is designated as the preferred ANG alternative”. Not from an airspace range perspective anyways.” (Admin Record #61626
Day 9: Friday, October 25, 2019
On August 16, 2013, Colonel Will, Chief of Force Planning in the Air National Guard Bureau, wrote to Colonel Efferson in the National Guard Bureau about Air Combat Command’s (ACC) decision to delay the selection of an Air National Guard base. He explains that the preferred active duty Air Force Base, Hill AFB, — unlike the Air National Guard bases — needed to know of their selection soon, since Hill has to start military construction (MILCON) projects in order to have them completed before the F-35s arrive. He also states that there are both political and legal complications with Burlington, such as a lawsuit and changing noise assessments. He further states that both of the other two Air National Guard bases, McEntire in SC and Jacksonville in FL (JAX), are more suitable bases than Burlington from an environmental perspective.
“…ACC’s intention is to delay the BTV decision until NLT 1QFY16 [no later than first quarter of fiscal year 2016]. The rationale for the split is Hill is on a much shorter timeline to get MILCON laid-in. They get their first aircraft in Sep 15. They … can’t get bogged down in the political/legal issues in BVT…. The lawsuit, combined with the revised noise assessments make BVT politically problematic in the short term. In fact, ACC briefed that both McEntire and Jax are preferred environmental alternatives…” (Admin Record #62048)