Republican U.S. Senate candidate John MacGovern says he doesn’t think the U.S. Air Force should base F-35 fighter planes at the Burlington International Airport.
MacGovern says the area is incompatible with the next generation fighter plane, which is louder than the planes now flown there.
He says it could be years before the Air Force phases out the F-16, which would give plenty of time for the Vermont Guard to find a new mission or redevelop the base.
The Air Force is in the process of deciding where it will base the F-35. The base at the South Burlington airport is a finalist.
MacGovern’s opponent, independent Senator Bernie Sanders, favors bringing the planes to Vermont.