F-35 opponents push Burlington council to replace jets

By Laura Ullman, Published: Aug. 12, 2024

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BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A number of Chittenden County residents Monday night called on the Burlington City Council to support a measure opposing the F-35 fighter jets that have been based in Burlington for the past five years.

Opponents of the fighter jets packed a hearing to show their support for a resolution requesting Vermont’s congressional delegation to push the military to replace the current F-35 mission with one that causes no harmful noise to the people living around the airport.

Even the wife of an Air Force pilot stated that “nothing has been worse for the reputation of the Guard than the F-35s.” A majority of public commenters were worried for the safety and education of local children.

“Our classes will sometimes have to stop because the F-35s are so loud. We cannot hear our teachers and we cannot hear our peers. It’s a really big issue. I think we’re not taking this into consideration about education and the next generation,” said former Burlington student Julia Handel.

In the end, councilors supported a resolution that creates a committee to follow up with Vermont’s congressional delegation on the F-35s basing. It also calls on he mayor to meet with the airport and the Guard to discuss the ongoing noise mitigation efforts and how the council’s resolution impacts the guard’s future operations.

Similar previous resolutions from Chittenden County municipalities have not had an effect on the F-35s basing.

The Burlington City Council last year voted to extend the Vermont Air National Guard’s lease at the Burlington Airport for decades to come.