USAF weighing beddown options for Air Force Reserve Command F-35 base

The Air Force is considering four bases as options to host 24 F-35As for the Air Force Reserve and will host a series of meetings in April to support its beddown decision.

In a March 22 Federal Register notice of its intent to develop an environmental impact statement, the service states Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, TX, is its preferred alternative and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ, Whiteman Air Force Base, MS, and Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL, as reasonable alternatives.

The squadron would include 24 aircraft and two backup jets. The aircraft would replace 24 F-16s if based at Homestead ARB or NAS Fort Worth JRB or 24 A-10s if either Davis-Monthan AFB or Whiteman AFB are chosen.