F-35 Military Jets are Coming to Madison. Now What?

F-35 military fighter jets are expected to arrive in Madison as early as April. Madison is the second Air National Guard in the nation to receive the military’s newest jets. They’ll be stationed at Truax field, next to the airport and Madison College. 

The Wisconsin Air National Guard calls them a “game changer.” The federal F-35 program - the most expensive weapon in US history - was designed to give the military a “Swiss Army knife” jet capable of handling a multitude of missions.

Many others have called them a boondoggle. The jets have been delayed for years, gone over budget, and faced numerous technical problems. The Madison City Council has called on the Secretary of the Air Force to station them elsewhere. Madison residents have raised concerns about the noise and potential health impacts of the jets, as well as their nuclear capabilities. 

So what can we expect when these jets arrive? 

Retired Air Force Colonel Rosanne Greco knows first-hand what it’s like to live with F-35s. At first, she thought the noise complaints were “wimpy.” Now? Not so much.

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