Meet the Next-Gen, (Somewhat) Same as the Old-Gen

The Department of the Air Force has selected the next bases to obtain the latest and greatest in America’s fighter lineup, with bases in Massachusetts, Louisiana, and California on tap to receive F-35As and F-15EXs.

The Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, was selected as the ‘preferred location’ to host the next F-35A Lightning II squadron. It will be given 18 F-35As to complete their mission going forward. Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, will both replace their aging and likely somewhat ragged F-15C and -D model Eagles with brand-new, next-gen F-15EX Strike Eagles - or at least as ‘next-gen’ as a 50-year-old design can be. The average age of a C or D model Eagle is a bit lower, standing around 37 years or so. Both locations will also receive 18 aircraft - brand new F-15EXs.

The Department of the Air Force said that each location was selected after a bevy of site surveys, assessing their “ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors and cost.” Eventually, the service will undertake environmental impact analyses at each base, which are expected to be completed in spring 2024 before a final decision is made.

FMI: www.af.mil