thedrifter
02-10-09, 07:22 AM
Corps seeks input on Joint Strike Fighter proposal
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February 9, 2009 - 8:09 PM
JANNETTE PIPPIN
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The Marine Corps is hosting three meetings in the area to get public input on a proposal that includes Cherry Point as a base for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.
The meetings will be held today at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center, Wednesday at the Emerald Isle Community Center and Thursday at the Fred A. Anderson Elementary School in Bayboro. All meetings will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and will be conducted in an informal, open-house format.
The Marine Corps is preparing a required Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal for basing the F-35B on the East Coast and the public scoping meetings are part of the process. Representatives will be on hand to answers questions and provide information on the possible actions that could be taken.
"They'll be able to discuss the alternatives and answer the different questions the public may have," said 1st Lt. Abe Sipe of the Cherry Point Public Affairs Office.
The proposed action would base and operate a total of 13 F-35B squadrons at both Cherry Point and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. Up to 216 aircraft would be part of the proposed 10 active-duty squadrons, one reserve squadron and two training squadrons.
There are five alternatives being considered for how the squadrons would be based.
"They are determining how to allocate the aircraft between the air stations in question," Sipe said.
In all of the alternatives, both air stations get at least some of the aircraft. Under one option, Cherry Point would see all but the training squadrons.
The F-35B is a variant of the Joint Strike Fighter that the Marine Corps proposes to use to replace aging aircraft. It is a short takeoff/vertical landing, multi-role fighter aircraft with a primary mission of air-to-ground combat, according to information released on the aircraft.
On the East Coast, the Marine Corps proposes to replace existing AV-8B Harrier, F/A-18 A/C/D Hornet and EA-6B Prowler squadrons with up to 10 active-duty F-35B squadrons; establish a Pilot Training Center with two F-35B training squadrons; and reactivate a F/A-18 Hornet reserve squadron as an F-35B reserve squadron.
The sixth alternative being considered is a "No Action" option, which would maintain existing conditions. With that scenario, Cherry Point would continue to support four active-duty AV-8B squadrons and four active-duty EA-6B squadrons.
The Marine Corps is holding public scoping meetings to help identify environmental issues and community concerns.
The deadline for comments is Monday. Comments can be submitted at the meetings, by mail or electronically at the project Web site at www.usmcJSFeast.com. The mailing address is: USMC F-35B East Coast EIS; P.O. Box 56488; Jacksonville, FL 32241-6488.
Staff writer Jannette Pippin can be reached at jpippin@freedomenc.com or 910-382-2557.
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 1
February 9, 2009 - 8:09 PM
JANNETTE PIPPIN
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The Marine Corps is hosting three meetings in the area to get public input on a proposal that includes Cherry Point as a base for the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.
The meetings will be held today at the Havelock Tourist and Event Center, Wednesday at the Emerald Isle Community Center and Thursday at the Fred A. Anderson Elementary School in Bayboro. All meetings will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and will be conducted in an informal, open-house format.
The Marine Corps is preparing a required Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal for basing the F-35B on the East Coast and the public scoping meetings are part of the process. Representatives will be on hand to answers questions and provide information on the possible actions that could be taken.
"They'll be able to discuss the alternatives and answer the different questions the public may have," said 1st Lt. Abe Sipe of the Cherry Point Public Affairs Office.
The proposed action would base and operate a total of 13 F-35B squadrons at both Cherry Point and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. Up to 216 aircraft would be part of the proposed 10 active-duty squadrons, one reserve squadron and two training squadrons.
There are five alternatives being considered for how the squadrons would be based.
"They are determining how to allocate the aircraft between the air stations in question," Sipe said.
In all of the alternatives, both air stations get at least some of the aircraft. Under one option, Cherry Point would see all but the training squadrons.
The F-35B is a variant of the Joint Strike Fighter that the Marine Corps proposes to use to replace aging aircraft. It is a short takeoff/vertical landing, multi-role fighter aircraft with a primary mission of air-to-ground combat, according to information released on the aircraft.
On the East Coast, the Marine Corps proposes to replace existing AV-8B Harrier, F/A-18 A/C/D Hornet and EA-6B Prowler squadrons with up to 10 active-duty F-35B squadrons; establish a Pilot Training Center with two F-35B training squadrons; and reactivate a F/A-18 Hornet reserve squadron as an F-35B reserve squadron.
The sixth alternative being considered is a "No Action" option, which would maintain existing conditions. With that scenario, Cherry Point would continue to support four active-duty AV-8B squadrons and four active-duty EA-6B squadrons.
The Marine Corps is holding public scoping meetings to help identify environmental issues and community concerns.
The deadline for comments is Monday. Comments can be submitted at the meetings, by mail or electronically at the project Web site at www.usmcJSFeast.com. The mailing address is: USMC F-35B East Coast EIS; P.O. Box 56488; Jacksonville, FL 32241-6488.
Staff writer Jannette Pippin can be reached at jpippin@freedomenc.com or 910-382-2557.
Ellie