Air Force Disregards Health of Madison Residents in F-35 Basing

MADISON – Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson announced today that the US Air Force has chosen Truax Field as the location for its 5th operational beddown of twenty F-35 bomber jets.

Madison Common Council Alders Abbas, Foster, Kemble and Rummel issued the following statement:

“On March 31, 2020 the Common Council passed a resolution opposing the selection of Truax Field as a site for F-35 bomber jets. The Air Force’s own analysis in the Final EIS released in February confirms the significant environmental impacts identified in the Draft EIS, including substantially reduced quality and quantity of current affordable housing stock, decreased value of the property tax base, reduced opportunities for Transit-Oriented Development, ongoing soil, ground and surface water PFAS contamination violations by the ANG, significant adverse health effects that disproportionately affect children, residents who are low income and people of color.

“These impacts are contrary to the City of Madison’s values of equity, sustainability, health and adaptability as codified in our Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2018, the City’s Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative, and undermine multiple long-term goals of City policy makers.”

“Residents of our Districts have overwhelmingly opposed this action in writing by submitting thousands of comments to the Air Force and Common Council, and in person at listening sessions, community meetings and Common Council sessions. They have expressed serious concerns about their health, quality of life in the neighborhoods, quality of education for children in nearby schools, the quality of their drinking water, and their major investments in their homes.

“The Air Force’s analysis showed that of the five sites in contention, Madison would be the most severely impacted by the beddown of these bomber jets. We are saddened by this decision, but will continue stand with our neighbors in opposition to this action. Members of our community have already retained legal representation and will likely be pursuing legal action.”