As an American Airlines commuter takes off behind it at Burlington International Airport Thursday afternoon, a newly landed F-35 of the Vermont Air National Guard is presented with the Green Mountain Boys flag. VBM photos and video.
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Under a rare sun of late summer, two F-35s of the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th fighter wing came roaring out of the West at 1:20 pm to a smattering of applause, circled Burlington International Airport, simulated a couple of touch-and-goes and finally landed at their home base for the first time.
They sported the Green Mountain Boys nickname on the tail and a new symbol for a new mission on the fuselage, the Yellow Scorpions. The yellow scorpion patch is a heritage emblem/tribute to the WWII Squadron which helped found the 158th Fighter Wing.
The question of how loud they are cannot yet be answered until they eventually take off, but one observer offered that they sounded "throatier" than their predecessors the F-16s, while another said they didn't seem louder, "just different." Small crowds watched the the event from the end of the runway in South Burlington and from the roof of the BTV parking garage.
By next spring Vermont will base 20 F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. Eventually 30 pilots will be qualified to fly them. For now, there are only five such pilots, with five more in active training. Each plane brings an estimated cost of $100 million, making it the most expensive fighter in US history.
The 158th Fighter Wing is the first Air National Guard in the country to receive the aircraft. As Vermont National Guard Adjutant General Greg Knight put it, "There is only one first."
They arrived with much fanfare, dignitaries, the curious perched atop the Burlington International Airport parking garage, the press, many Guard members and, as they taxied, a whiff of gasoline.
The event marks the beginning of the next chapter in what is a long and proud history of the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG), which was federally recognized in 1946. The F-35 is the ninth mission airframe assigned to the Green Mountain Boys.
The F-35s replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which the 158th Fighter Wing proudly flew for over three decades. The last four F-16s received their farewell from Vermont back in April.
“This is among the most incredible days in my 31 years with the Vermont Air National Guard and I could not be more proud of our airmen for their dedication and commitment to our great state and nation,” said Col David Smith, 158th Fighter Wing commander. “I want to thank all of our service men and women past and present for their contributions to get us to this moment. I also want to share my sincere appreciation to the community for their continued and unwavering support.”
The pilots, both Vermont guardsman and former F-16 pilots, flew the jets in from Fort Worth, Texas. This arrival follows six months without flying for the Vermont Air National Guard, however, the base was busy with extensive training, preparations and more than $60 million in F-35 projects and renovations to prepare the base for F-35 operations.
The pilots of this inaugural flight were Lt. Col. Nathan Graber and Lt. Col. Anthony Marek, 134th Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard.
In-air refueling was conducted with Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. Time of refueling per aircraft depending on amount of fuel taken is around 10 minutes.
“The Airmen of the Vermont Air National Guard are the force behind the successful arrival of the F-35 Lightning II,” said 158th Fighter Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Darin Mauzy. “The capabilities of the F-35 are eclipsed by the accomplishments of the team who has worked tirelessly to prepare for their safe arrival. The F-35 is an advanced platform that will require the best trained, well led, and resilient Air Guard members. We are proud of each of them and their families for the sacrifices made to make today a reality.”
The aircraft that arrived will be used with the Field Training Team to start and then the Vermont Air National Guard will begin flying operations in October.
“Our Airmen will be the first National Guard unit to receive this aircraft and other National Guards and communities will be looking to us as an example for how to lead with humility and conviction," said Brig. Gen. Knight. “I am so proud of the work they have done and will continue to do to make this a success.”
Two of the biggest proponents of the jets, US Senator Patrick Leahy and Governor Phil Scott, could not make the ceremony and no elected officials spoke. Leahy had pushed hard in Washington to base the F-35s in Vermont.
But Scott sent this statement: “Today marks the beginning of an important new chapter for the Vermont Air National Guard and the 158th fighter wing, as we welcome the long-awaited arrival of the F-35 fighter jets.
“For decades, our Air Guard has served Vermont and our nation with distinction, and it’s because of this leadership that Vermont is the first National Guard unit to adopt this next generation technology.
“The Air Guard and the F-35 are an essential part of enhancing the quality of life, vibrancy and vitality of the region and state. We can be proud Vermont will continue to play such a significant role in the defense of our nation.”
Opposition to the fighter jets have revolved around their noise, especially taking off with after-burners; safety of the plane; and whether they would carry nuclear arms.
General Knight insists that they will use after-burners on only 5 percent of takeoffs, that the plane has thousands of hours of safe operation and that planes will not be nuclear capable nor will the Guard host a nuclear option.