Alabama National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing selected to receive F-35 Aircraft

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F-35 jet. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kate Thornton

• Alabama Governor Kay Ivey speaks at a press conference announcing Dannelly Field's selection as an F-35A Base at Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama, Dec. 21, 2017. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye)
• Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon speaks at a press conference announcing Dannelly Field's selection as an F-35A Base at Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama, Dec. 21, 2017. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye)
• Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange speaks at a press conference announcing Dannelly Field's selection as F-35A Base at Dannelly Field, Montgomery, Alabama, Dec. 21, 2017. (Photo by Army Sgt. William Frye)

MONTGOMERY, AL (12/21/2017) (readMedia)-- The Air Force has selected the 187th Fighter Wing at Dannelly Field Air National Guard Base, Montgomery, Alabama, as one of the next bed down locations for the F-35A Lightning II aircraft. Gov. Kay Ivey, Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon, adjutant general of the Alabama National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Randy Efferson, Alabama Air National Guard chief of staff, joined other local leaders to make the announcement at Dannelly Field today.

Pending a successful Environmental Impact Study, the F-35As are expected to begin arriving at Dannelly Field in approximately 2023.

The decision to select the 187th came after site surveys of five candidate Air National Guard bases. Each location was assessed for operational requirements, potential impacts to existing missions, infrastructure and manpower, and cost estimates.

The basing of the fifth-generation aircraft in Alabama will ensure that the Alabama Air National Guard will continue its history of excellence and providing Air Power to combatant commanders far into the forseeable future. We look forward to continuing the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen "Red Tails" and serving this great state and nation with pride and professionalism.