City Government
F-35 No Longer A Threat To Boise
April 15, 2020 
Just as former Mayor Dave Bieter and advocates of the F-35 always said, the decision to base the fighter jet is the sole duty of the of the Air Force–despite spending tens of thousands of dollars and time to influence the decision.
The U.S. Air Force has now decided to officially SELECT Truax Field at Madison, Wisconsin and DANNELLY Field, Alabama.
Lauren McLean, the newly elected mayor, has openly opposed the idea of siting F-35 fighters at Boise’s Gowen Field.
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Comments & Discussion
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© 2020 Boise Guardian. 
Apr 15, 2020, 4:24 pm
I agree with you. The local politburo did not admit their influence one way or another. Obviously disappointing dishonesty. Although, the current mayor has been pretty good about it so far in her new role.
The A-10 shines in the desert wars because our opponents have very limited AA capacity. The desert wars will end one day and the A-10 will be parked for good. Boise will get a different airplane. It could be anything in the inventory at that time. What it is does not matter. I don’t care if it don’t even fly. Any mission brings money.
Apr 15, 2020, 5:11 pm
Great news for us living in the shadow of the airport.
Apr 15, 2020, 5:29 pm
Thanks Dave. Just another reason Mayor McLean is a great upgrade.
Apr 15, 2020, 11:37 pm
I guess with the virus, the Boise economy is doing so well that we don’t need government money flowing into the local economy. I wonder what economic stimulus the Mayor has in mind.
EDITOR NOTE–According to the USAF, the F-35s won’t arrive in Wisconsin and Alabama until 2023. By then the economy will either collapse or recover regardless of jet pork.
Apr 16, 2020, 2:18 am
If you like our Boise life style, we really had a win with this one. Wow, two in a row, first no more Bieter and then this news. I will savor it now for the war never ends.
Apr 16, 2020, 9:10 am
Several thoughts:
* I’m glad that the federal government paid attention to local politics. I’ve worked in several branches of the Fed and their #1 concern is PR – for good or bad, and never honest.
* McLean saw a PR opportunity against Beiter and seized it. IMO she’s no better, but Beiter simply had to go.
* The F35 is a pork project by congress. If it ever gets the bugs out then this expensive loud plane belongs in active duty only, for the wars that we’re unlikely to fight.
* The A10 has repeatedly proven itself in the wars that we do fight, and constantly fight. Desert tribes have fought for thousands of years and won’t stop – it’ll continue to spill over.
* State ANG – especially those 3 miles from downtown – need to focus on state needs. C130, helicopters, drones, AT-6B, and other relatively quiet craft are welcome. Just because federal pork is available doesn’t mean that it’ll pay off.
Apr 16, 2020, 10:06 am
Dang it! Now instead of US enjoying “the sound of freedom,” it will be those patriots in Madison and Montgomery! (And everybody with a 50-mile radius…) /sarcasm
It’s unlikely the thousands of local taxpayer “PR” dollars had anything to do with the decision, one way or the other.
Good commentary by “Concerned Neighbor.” I agree! And thanks for reporting on something besides the pandemic, Mr. Frazier!
Apr 16, 2020, 10:26 am
I too am surprised not to see any stories on this in the legacy media. And, I guess there’s still an open ended question about the proposed urban war games here. Thanks for the report Mr. Guardian!
Apr 18, 2020, 2:09 pm
This is good. The A-10 lives another day. At least THIS is a positive outcome. Now, we must eradicate the New Socialism taking over.
May 2, 2020, 12:19 am
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a32212953/a-10-warthog-2040/