Letter to Secretary James - Urging for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Mission to 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth

Letter

We write to express our support for a F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Mission within the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard at Duluth International Airport. As you review eligible fighter wings for F-35 placement, we respectfully urge you to strongly consider the 148th Fighter Wing.

The 148th Fighter Wing is an ideal placement for the F-35. Modern base facilities, the current F-16 Block 50 SEAD mission, Active Association, extensive training airspace, and community support would form a critical foundation for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Mission. Duluth Airport features a 10,162 foot instrumented, arresting-gear runway for all-weather operations and over $100 million in construction has been dedicated to the 148th Fighter Wing facilities over the past 15 years, including a new fire hall and consolidated maintenance facility. Additionally, the 148th Fighter Wing owns and operates extensive airspace nearby where crews can maximize training and minimize transit time. The substantial size and proximity of the training airspace would have a direct and positive impact on F-35 mission success.

In addition to modern facilities and abundant airspace, the 148th is well-positioned to host an F-35 mission because it has a track record of accomplishment with a conversion of mission to suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), and destruction of enemy air defense (DEAD). Not only has the 148th been tasked with a new mission, it has simultaneously taken on a new aircraft -- the "Block 50" F-16. Pilots and maintenance crew have excelled with the conversion proving that the men and women on the 148th Fighter Wing will excel at the challenge of mastering the F-35. Finally, the 148th crew routinely has high recruiting/manning levels, mission capability, mission readiness, and pilot readiness scores. In addition, the 148th has led the Air National Guard with employment of cutting-edge air tactics and simulations. The men and women at the 148th are well-prepared to execute the mission of the F-35.

We are committed to sustaining the long-term viability of Minnesota's Air National Guard. Minnesota has a strong tradition of military support and we would be proud to welcome a F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Mission to the 148th Fighter Wing.

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