The Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing in Jacksonville has been named a finalist for consideration by the U.S. Air Force to receive the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter Lightning II aircraft.
- Florida National Guard base in Jacksonville picked as F-35 finalist
- 125th Fighter Wing in running to receive Air Force's F-35A
- At $400B, F-35 is most expensive weapons system in history
The Air Force made its announcement narrowing the field to five bases Wednesday. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, would replace the base's legacy F-15 Eagle.
"This announcement highlights what we in Florida have always known — that our Florida Air National Guard has the finest facilities, airspace and — most importantly — Airmen in the world," said Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, the adjutant general of Florida. "We are honored that the Air Force recognizes that Jacksonville would be an excellent home for the F-35."
If selected, the 125th Fighter Wing could see the jets arrive in Jacksonville by 2022.
At a program cost of $400 billion, the F-35 has been described as the most expensive weapons system in history, CNN reports.
The Air Force has grounded F-35s in the past for faulty parts and safety issues.