Lemoore Navy base to be home for new F35-C jet fighters

Lemoore Naval Air Station will be the West Coast home base for the new F-35C fighter jets, the Navy announced Thursday.

The F-35Cs will replace the Navy’s aging FA-18 Hornet aircraft.

Beginning in 2016, a total of 100 F-35Cs will be based at the Kings County facility, according to U.S Fleet Forces in Norfolk, Virginia.

While the Navy’s decision had been anticipated since May, the news still sent a jolt of excitement through the community.

“I’m elated,” said John Lehn, president of the Kings County Economic Development Corporation. “We aren’t surprised, but it’s nice to get the nod.”

The decision guarantees that Lemoore Naval Air Station -- already responsible for an estimated $1 billion a year in economic activity -- will remain a reliable economic anchor “for the foreseeable future,” Lehn said.

Rep. David G. Valadao, R-Hanford, whose district includes the base, quickly issued a statement praising the Navy’s decision.

“The basing of the F-35C fleet is estimated to require 751 new military and contractor personnel for mission support,” Valadao said. “With an estimated $35.5 million in annual payroll, this will inject much-needed economic stimulus into our suffering region.”

State Sen. Andy Vidak, R-Hanford, also issued a statement: “This is fantastic news for our Valley. It means hundreds of new jobs. The ripple effect of the Navy’s decision to homebase the new F-35C fleet at NAS Lemoore will be enormously beneficial to our devastated economy.”

Lemoore is poised for growth, Mayor Lois Wynne said.

“There will be even more people coming to the base,” she said. “They don’t have enough housing out there, so they will be buying homes in town. That helps housing and retail.”

Jenny MacMurdo, CEO of the 320-member Lemoore Chamber of Commerce, said local businesses will benefit.

“We are ecstatic,” MacMurdo said.”We are very happy they made the decision. There will be more paid individuals in the community. They’ll be spending in Lemoore and the surrounding community.”

The Navy on Thursday said it issued its “record of decision” accepting an environmental impact statement naming Lemoore Naval Air Station as the preferred alternative as its West Coast base for F-35C jet fighter squadrons.

The Navy base in El Centro also was in the running for the F-35C jets.

The total number of aircraft to be based at Lemoore will gradually increase by 30 by 2028, the Navy said.

The F-35C is the Navy version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets.

Lemoore will receive 70 jets to be placed with seven Pacific Fleet squadrons and 30 jets for a Fleet Replacement Squadron used for training pilots and maintenance crews.

But the total number of aircraft assigned to the base will remain about the same as last year because a Fleet Replacement Squadron was disbanded last year, the Navy said.

More take-offs and landings will occur at Lemoore, the Navy said.

In another boost to the local economy involving the base, about 550 uniformed military will be coming to Lemoore as the Navy relocates two F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons from Oceana NAS in Virginia Beach. That’s supposed to happen in two years.

More online: See three videos of the F-35C during testing on the Navy’s AiReel page (scroll the page to see the specific videos).

This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 1:59 PM.