The City of Burlington needs to reconsider basing the F-35 jets at the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport.
Designed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 is the fifth generation of fighter jets of its kind, according to a Sept. 17, 2024 article in the Burlington Free Press.
In 2016, the U.S. Air Force selected the Vermont Air National Guard to operate the military aircraft for training exercises at their bases.
Prior to the F-35s, the VT Air National Guard operated F-16 military jets, according to an April 7, 2019 VTDigger article.
Since their arrival in 2019, increasing concerns regarding the noise of the F35s — which are twice as loud as their F-16 predecessors — have been raised by residents living in their flight path, according to the Burlington Free Press article.
This doesn’t negate the National Guard’s importance, as they provide essential fire services at no cost to the airport and surrounding community, according to a Nov. 23, 2024 Burlington Free Press article.
The BTV airport generates $34.5 million in state and local taxes, providing flights for more than 600,000 passengers annually, according to a Jan. 26 VTDigger article.
Still, Burlington voters approved a non-binding resolution calling for lawmakers to reverse the decision to base F-35s at BTV in 2018, according to a March 6, 2018 VTDigger article.
In 2024, the city councils in Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski all passed resolutions demanding the same.
Taking off from BTV and flying over Winooski, the F-35s’ flight path disproportionately affects low income neighborhoods, according to a July 22, 2021 Vermont Public segment.
F-35s can reach 115 decibels at takeoff. Sounds measured above 70 decibels can damage hearing and cause adverse health effects, according to a Dec. 17, 2012 Vermont Department of Health statement.
Since the arrival of the F-16s in the late 1980s, noise mitigation plans have resulted in the demolition of 200 homes in South Burlington, according to a May 28, 2019 Seven Days article.
With the F-35s operating at BTV, the houses have not been replaced and the housing lots remain empty.
Chittenden County is currently facing a housing crisis, much of which can be attributed to a lack of affordable housing, according to a June 2024 Vermont Housing Finance Agency assessment.
Removing the F-35s from BTV would allow for at least 200 new units to be built and go on the market.
Until this can be achieved, the mitigation of noise pollution caused by the F-35s is needed for the health of residents.
In 2024, the National Guard unveiled a noise mitigation plan, which would involve the use of afterburners in order to increase the altitude of the planes at takeoff, according to an Oct. 24, 2024 VTDigger article.
In addition to implementing this plan, increasing flight simulations and access to sound insulation programs for houses in the jets’ path will help reduce the negative health effects of the F-35s.
If the local government does not address the concerns of its constituents, the F-35s will only continue to detrimentally impact the health and livelihood of the community.
The Vermont Cynic accepts letters in response to published material, as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to cynicalopinion@gmail.com.
