Read the Arizona Daily Star’s report today that the F-35 joint striker will be based at Luke AFB in Glendale, and not here at Tucson International Airport (TIA). Read the article by clicking here or a longer version on the front page of the Star.

I wrote about this issue back in February/March (click here) when the open houses about the F-35 were held around Southern Arizona. Having attended the one at Roskruge Elementary School in Tucson, I can attest that the crowd that night (over 200 to 300 people coming and going) was divided between those military personnel who want the F-35 here, and those neighbors who vehemently oppose it and are doubtful that the noise impact would be minimal. Some of those in opposition even asked that the F-35 be temporarily sent here for a one week trial, for people to experience the noise level (up to 104 decibels?) first hand. (See www.tucsonforward.com)

F-35 joint striker jet

Bases where the F -35 will also be stationed: Hill AFB in Utah, Burlington Air Guard Station in Vermont.

So, for now, TIA is not one of the chosen bases, but still may be in the future.

Here’s a copy of the July 29 press release from the Arizona Air National Guard, 162nd fighter wing (http://www.162fw.ang.af.mil/):

“Air Force recommends F-35s for Luke, Tucson still a contender
TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Air Force officials announced today the service’s recommendations for where to base the first F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Though Tucson was not among the three semi-finalist locations, it remains a viable candidate. For F-35 training, the Air Force named Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., as the preferred alternative. As F-35 operational bases, both Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Burlington Air Guard Station, Vt., got nods.

Last October, officials announced the Arizona Air National Guard unit at Tucson International Airport was one of the top five locations under consideration for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training. Six other bases were on a short list for F-35 operations.
The recent announcement indicates the Air Force is narrowing the field, yet a final record of decision is expected for spring of 2011.
“We were certainly hoping to be one of the first bases to get the F-35, but the Air Force’s recommendation to base them at Luke for training is very encouraging,” said Brig. Gen. Greg Stroud, 162nd Fighter Wing commander. “Luke and Tucson enjoy all of the same ingredients that make for perfect pilot training conditions; weather, airspace, ranges and fantastic community support. Our chances for F-35s in the future are as strong as ever.”

In March, the Air Force conducted a series of public scoping meetings in Southern Arizona as part of an F-35 Environmental Impact Statement. According to Stroud, the environmental study will continue as planned and a draft statement will be available for public comment later this year.

“We encourage the community to continue their participation in the F-35 basing process. The study being conducted now will apply when the Air Force takes another look at Tucson as future home for new fighter,” he said.
The three installations recommended today move a step closer to housing the first 250 to 300 F-35s scheduled for delivery through 2019. With a total of 1,763 F-35s scheduled for purchase through 2035, Tucson will have numerous opportunities to host the new jet.

“We train international pilots, and Luke trains active duty U.S. pilots in the F-16. Their need to ramp up F-35 training will come much sooner than our need. By all indications from the Air Force’s survey of our capability to maintain and operate F-35s, we’re a strong possibility in the next round. I’m confident that the F-35 will one day be part of the wing’s mission,” Stroud said.
The F-35 is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battle space of the future. In the Air Force, the F-35 will primarily service an air-to-ground role; replace aging F-16 and A-10 aircraft while complementing the F-22. The Navy and Marine Corps plan on using the F-35, along with international partners.

The Arizona Air National Guard has flown fighters from its base in Tucson since 1956 when the unit flew the Korean War era F-86A. Through six decades and seven different fighter aircraft the unit has served in air sovereignty and fighter training missions. The last time a new aircraft came to the wing was in 1985 when the unit accepted its first F-16 Fighting Falcon.”

The August 24 primary is quickly approaching and early voting began yesterday. Here’s a chance to view the 4 men running for CD 8 U.S. House on KUAT Channel 6 tonight from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Az Illustrated. The current candidates are Jesse Kelly, Brian Miller, Jonathan Paton, and Jay Quick. Who’s Quick? View the debate tonight to find out, as he’s the late comer in this race.

If you miss this one hour forum, view it online at www.azpm.org, “On Demand”.

Last time I wrote about these men was on July 19 after candidate Andy Goss dropped out and endorsed Jesse Kelly, and 3 of the 4 candidates (sans Quick) appeared at the Eastside Republican Club town hall on July 21. Click here for earlier blog (with photos of each candidate).

This has been a very spirited campaign for the GOP candidates, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised and spent.

Whoever wins the Republican primary will face off with 2 term Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who has reportedly $2 million to spend on this campaign. Libertarian Dr. Steven Stoltz is also a candidate in the General Election on November 2nd.

The comparable one hour interview of the GOP CD 7 U.S. House candidates was held on Friday July 23, with the 4 candidates running in that race: Ruth McClung, Terry Myers, Joe Sweeney, and Robert Wilson. View it online here.

The winner of that CD 7 Republican primary race will face off with 4 term Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva, and the winner of the Libertarian primary (either Andrew Ibarra or George Keane). The KUAT interview of those two Libertarians on July 28 is also online (click here).

Let the best man (or woman) win.

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Press release from Ward 1 Councilwoman Regina Romero, in anticipation of Tucson’s 235th birthday on August 20:

“TUCSON’S BIRTHDAY MONTH KICKOFF CELEBRATES 4,000 YEARS OF HISTORY

Tucson City Councilor Regina Romero and friends invite residents to two
events to kick off Tucson’s Birthday Month.

1–Volunteer clean up day at the birthplace of Tucson
Saturday, July 31, 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Base of “A” Mountain on Mission Road
(west on Congress to Grande which turns into Mission Rd., just past
Mission Lane to park)
Tucson Clean & Beautiful, Pima Association of Governments, Community
Foundation for Southern Arizona, neighborhood leaders and youth are some
of the groups planning to participate.

2–Birthday Breakfast at Mission Gardens
Sunday, August 1, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

(same location as above)
Start celebrating Tucson’s birthday with breakfast in a historical
setting. Join Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace, City Councilor Regina
Romero, Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías and other leaders to
celebrate Mission Garden. The garden gates, built and donated by Lloyd
Construction, mark the progress of the 4-acre Mission Garden, which will
exhibit and interpret the 4,000-year history of agriculture in the Santa
Cruz River Valley of the Sonoran Desert. The garden will also
demonstrate the native desert plants traditionally used by the Tohono
O’odham, and will celebrate the exchanges of native and introduced
crop plants that were important aspects of the cultural encounters
between the Tohono O’odham, Spaniards, Mexicans, and Anglo-Americans
in this region in a historical timeline.

The Mission Garden is one piece of Tucson Origins Heritage Park. Other
planned components to support our heritage tourism industry include
reconstructions of the San Agustín Mission chapel, the Convento, and
re-creations of the O’odham village of S-cuk Son and the settlements
of the Hohokam and earlier farmers.”

For more information or to volunteer, contact Ward 1 Council aide Diana Rhoades
at diana.rhoades@tucsonaz.gov or 520-837-4263. For questions on ADA
accommodations and accessibility, call 520-791-4040. To host your own
birthday event or find others in the month of August, visit
www.tucsonsbirthday.org or write to info@tucsonsbirthday.org.

Lots & lots of fun activities are already planned for August, so log onto www.tucsonsbirthday.org for the terrific Event calendar!
This month long event is sponsored by Tucson’s Birthday Planners — a 501(c)3 corporation, registered in the State of Arizona. Its Board members are President and Executive Director Linda Ray, Chairman Jeffrey Nordensson, Treasurer Richard Elías (Pima County Supervisor), Secretary Dave Fisher, and at-large members Regina Romero (Tucson City Councilmember), Ray Davies, Lance Laber, Tom Prezelski, and Art Pesqueira.

It’s that time again to celebrate Tucson’s birthday, and to honor founder Tucson’s “First Lady of Fashion” Cele Peterson, who sadly passed away in May (at age 101). She conceived the great idea for this August celebration back in 2006, primarily to encourage people to connect with each other.

Feliz cumpleanos Tucson.