As President-elect Donald Trump questions the future of the military’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Florida Senate will look at how more of the jets can be based in the state.
Sen. Audrey Gibson, a Jacksonville Democrat who chairs the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee, said she intends to hold panel discussions on the fighter.
“I definitely want to make sure we have a presentation on the possibility of getting some of the fighters in Jacksonville, in particular, and in the state of Florida in general,” Gibson said.
Gov. Rick Scott also has expressed support for bringing more of the aircraft to the state, saying Florida Air National Guard 125th Fighter Wing at Jacksonville International Airport would make “a great home” for the jets.
The Jacksonville base is on the shortlist for the next squadron location, with the list whittled last week from 18 to five.
Trump, meanwhile, has criticized the costly fighter program.
“The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th,” Trump tweeted.
The Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County is already home to training programs for the three variants of the F-35 Lightning II.
Also, Lockheed Martin, which produces the F-35, contends the fighter accounts for 14,700 jobs in Florida, with an annual economic impact just over $3 billion.
The jet was conceived in 1996 to replace other aircraft. But redesigns sought by the different military branches and other problems have driven up the cost.