Despite greater noise impacts than four of the five potential sites, Madison remains a favorite to host a squadron of F-35 fighter jets, according to a report on Channel 3000.
With roughly one month to go before the secretary of the Air Force makes a final basing decision, an updated environmental impact statement from the Air Force confirms that the proposed basing of F-35 jets at Truax Field in Madison would expose more than 1,000 residences to average daily noise levels of 65 decibels, more than every proposed basing site except Michigan’s Selfridge Air National Guard base. The noise levels, which are deemed incompatible with residential use, have been the subject of recent public hearings.
The Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing, which is based at Truax Field, is one of two preferred sites for basing the F-35s, but concerns over noise convinced local elected officials and several public bodies, including the Madison Common Council, to ask the U.S. Air Force to reconsider Madison as a home base for the jets if those problems cannot be addressed.
A preliminary environmental impact statement noted the planes would be incompatible but would not create an uninhabitable situation for homeowners near Truax, which is based at Dane County Regional Airport on Madison’s east side. Many of the affected homes are in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, but backers of the local base say Madison has a history of implementing effective noise-abatement programs.
Although Air Force officials have downplayed this possibility, a change of heart by the Air Force could mean that Madison will lose the 115th Fighter Wing, which has been part of the community for 71 years. About 1,200 people are employed there.
The final basing decision is up to Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett.
