Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif. -- FRESNO, Calif. — The Department of the Air Force and the National Guard Bureau (NGB) have prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) that analyzes the potential environmental consequences of replacing legacy aircraft (F-15C/D) with new generation aircraft (F-15EX or F-35A) at select fighter wings. The NGB has considered the following three fighter wings to receive the new aircraft:
- The 104th Fighter Wing, located at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport, Westfield, Massachusetts
(F-15EX or F-35A)
- The 144th Fighter Wing, located at Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California
(F-15EX only)
- The 159th Fighter Wing, located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans, Belle Chasse, Louisiana (F-15EX or F-35A)
The NGB proposes to replace one squadron of F-15C/D aircraft with one squadron of F-15EX aircraft at two of the three fighter wings listed above, and one squadron of F-35A aircraft at either the 104th Fighter Wing or the 159th Fighter Wing. No fighter wing would receive both aircraft. The NGB is acquiring the F-15EX and F-35A aircraft in support of the Air National Guard mission.
Public Meetings
The NGB held an in-person public meeting at Piccadilly Inn, 5115 E. McKinley Ave. in Fresno on March 14, 2024; and virtually on March 7, 2024. These meetings included an informational session to answer questions regarding the proposal, alternatives, and environmental resources that were evaluated, and a formal hearing. The formal hearing was an opportunity for members of the public to provide comments orally for the record. The public was also able to submit comments in writing. All comments have been reviewed and incorporated into the Final EIS, as appropriate.
The Final EIS is available at the Fresno County Public Library, Sunnyside Regional Library,
Betty Rodriguez Regional Library, Clovis Regional Library, and online at www.ANGF15EX-F35A-EIS.com. For more information visit the website.