Governor Jan Brewer Congratulates Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma

Press Release

Governor Jan Brewer today praised the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Yuma for being chosen as only one of the four locations around the country to house the new F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

"The Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma is the third largest contributor to the Yuma County economy with a direct impact of over $400 million annually," said Governor Brewer. "With a proud history of training and graduating pilots for the United States military, this basing decision will continue the legacy of this proud Arizona installation for years to come."

The 88 F-35B Joint Strike Fighters in Yuma will replace the Marine Corps aging AV-8B Harrier squadron aircraft, as well as its F-18 squadron. The new aircraft will make up five operational squadrons of up to 16 aircraft each and one operational test and evaluation squadron of eight aircraft. These squadrons will replace Yuma's four existing squadrons of 56 AV-8B Harriers. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 332, the Marine Corps' first operational aircraft squadron, will be based in Yuma, with delivery of its first F-35B expected in May of 2012. The transition from old aircraft to new is expected to take approximately 10 years.

According to the environmental impact statement, Yuma should expect a 500 to 600 increase in personnel, a 15 percent increase in airfield operations and a 17 percent increase in airspace and range use.

In July 2010, Luke Air Force Base was named by the U. S. Air Force as the preferred location for the new F-35 Pilot Training Center. The announcement was made prior to the release of the Air Force's draft F-35 basing Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) document, which is anticipated to be published by the first of the year.

The 162nd Fighter Wing, the Air National Guard unit based at the Tucson International Airport, is also competing as another Arizona home to the new F-35 training mission. It is anticipated the Air Force's final "Record of Decision," for Luke will be announced in the summer of 2011, with the 162nd announcement expected in the fall.

"We now look forward to hearing what the future holds for Luke Air Force Base and the Tucson International Airport regarding the F-35 program and will continue to aggressively advocate for those sites," said Governor Brewer.

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