By: Las Vegas Now Staff
The F-35 fighter jet is scheduled to call Nellis Air Force Base home. Tuesday night, the jet and its impact were the subject of a public hearing.
It was a sparsely attended hearing, with those associated with Nellis making up the bulk of the audience. But the new F-35, now in production, is expected to affect the community.
Homeowner Elsie Kelly is concerned.
“They've let the politicians come in here and build houses at the end of the runway. My house is built where it vibrates,” she said.
The Nellis Air Force Base area homeowner wants to know just how her quality of life will be affected by the arrival of 36 new fighter jets at the base.
The plan is to house 36 F-35 fighters at Nellis to meet the growing demands for new technology and to replace the aging F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbold aircraft.
Required by law, the Air Force is sharing the results of its impact studies and how the new plane will affect natural resources, air quality and noise levels.
“Noise levels greater than 65 decibels would increase by 23-percent, impacting primarily military lands. But those non-military lands would not require a change in status. Those noise levels exceeding 65 decibels could affect an additional 13,907 persons and 11 more receptors, such as schools and churches,” said Sheryl Parker with Nellis AFB.
The first F-35 aircraft will begin arriving at Nellis in 2012, with the last aircraft scheduled to arrive in 2022. And while there's no denying that much will change with the F-35's presence, Nellis spokesman say its all part of keeping America safe and its defenses strong.
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