F-35C aircraft to be based at NAS Lemoore, Navy says

LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) -- The United States Navy says 100 F-35C aircraft will be homebased at Naval Air Station Lemoore to replace the aging FA-18 Hornet aircraft.

According to the Navy's Record of Decision, "After carefully weighing the strategic, operational, and environmental consequences of the proposed action," the Department of the Navy "announces its decision to provide facilities and functions to support homebasing of F-35C aircraft at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore."

The new aircraft will begin moving to the Lemoore base in 2016.

Congressman David G. Valadao stated, "The basing of the F-35C fleet is estimated to require 751 new military and contractor personnel for mission support. With an estimated $36.5 million in annual payroll, this will inject much needed economic stimulus into our suffering region."

Valadeo also said in a statement that, "the homebasing of the F-35 aircraft will make NAS Lemoore a significant source of the Navy's strike power in the Pacific and enable our region to play a significant role in our nation's defense for years to come."

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