The United States Department of the Air Force and the National Guard Bureau (NGB) have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences of replacing legacy aircraft (F-15C/D) with new generation aircraft (F-15EX or F-35A) at select fighter wings. The NGB is considering the following three fighter wings to receive the new aircraft:
► The 104th Fighter Wing, located at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, Westfield, Massachusetts (F-15EX or F-35A)
► The 144th Fighter Wing, located at at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California (F-15EX only)
► The 159th Fighter Wing, located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Belle Chasse, Louisiana (F-15EX or F-35A)
The NGB proposes to replace one squadron of F-15C/D aircraft with one squadron of F-15EX aircraft at two of the three fighter wings listed above, and one squadron of F-35A aircraft at either the 104th Fighter Wing or the 159th Fighter Wing. No fighter wing would receive both aircraft. The NGB is acquiring the F-15EX and F-35A aircraft in support of the Air National Guard mission.
Public Meetings
The NGB will hold public meetings virtually and in person locally on the dates below. These meetings will include an informational session to answer questions regarding the proposal, alternatives, and environmental resources that were evaluated, and a formal hearing. The formal hearing will be an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments orally for the record. The public may also submit comments in writing following the instructions below. Oral comments will be limited to three minutes or less. Speakers are encouraged to submit comments of considerable length in writing. All members of the public and press are invited to attend the public meetings. Please visit the project website to submit your intention to participate in the public meetings and to fill out a speaker sign-up form if you’d like to provide an oral comment at one of the in-person or virtual public meetings.
IN-PERSON MEETING
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT
Westfield Intermediate School, 350 Southampton Road Westfield, MA 01085
This meeting will include informational poster stations with project team members available to answer questions, followed by a presentation and formal hearing to receive public comments on the Draft EIS.
VIRTUAL MEETING
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. EST
Please visit the project website below for information on how to join the meeting and fill out the question form if you’d like to submit a question in advance:
www.ANGF15EX-F35A-EIS.com
This meeting will begin with a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with project team members and a formal hearing to receive public comments on the Draft EIS.
To Submit a Written Comment on the Draft EIS:
Written comments must be submitted by April 5, 2024, to be considered in the preparation of the Final EIS. Comments received after the close of the public comment period will be reviewed but may not be specifically addressed in the Final EIS. You may submit written comments in one of the following ways:
► Via the project website at www.ANGF15EX-F35A-EIS.com
► In person at one of the public meetings
► Via email to NGB.A4.A4A.NEPA.COMMENTS.org@us.af.mil
► By U.S. mail to: William Strickland, EIS Project Manager, National Guard Bureau, NGB/A4AM, Shepperd Hall, 3501 Fetchet Ave., Joint Base Andrews MD 20762-5157, Office: (240) 612-7042
The Draft EIS is available at the Westfield Athenaeum Library, Westfield City Hall (Mayor's Office), Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport (Airport Manager's Office), and online at www.ANGF15EX-F35A-EIS.com. For more information visit the website.
Flyer