LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) — Increasing national security, the United States Navy is looking to upgrade some of its fighter jets.
The Navy is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, as they plan to transition Seven FA-18E/F squadrons to F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons.
“The F-35C is the most advanced aircraft currently flown by the Navy. The Air Force has their variant, the F-35A, and the Marine Corps has their variant, the F-35B, and all of these aircraft are basically being deployed all over the world right now,” says Installations and Environmental Public Affairs Officer, Ted Brown.
Brown explains the goal of the EIS is to analyze the effects the change might have on the environment.
The 7 new squadrons, which would total 70 jets, would be based out of the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach or Lemoore, which is already home to some of the Navy’s top air-craft, including some F-35C’s.
If Lemoore is chosen, Brown says, “The F-A-18 Super Hornet aircraft that are at NAS Lemoore now will transition over to NAS Oceana, and NAS Lemoore will host all of the F-35C aircraft. If not, they will be based on both coasts.”
The home basing process would take about ten years, starting in 2029.
The project would require upgrades to whichever facility is chosen.
Eventually, the F/A-18 Super Hornets will be phased out and replaced with the F-35Cs which are harder to detect.
“This is very important to our national security, to have modern, very, advanced aircraft on our aircraft carriers, deploying all over the world to protect the U.S. national interests,” explains Brown.
In a statement, NAS Lemoore Joint Strike Fighter Wing Commodore, Captain Barrett Smith shared, “”Regardless of the outcome of the EIS study, NAS Lemoore is proud to serve as the home of the Navy’s F-35C community. The men and women who fly, maintain, and support this aircraft stand at the forefront of America’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and a secure global maritime domain. The F-35C is more than an aircraft – it is the cornerstone of the Navy’s 5th-generation air power and a critical investment in the security of our nation and its allies for decades to come.”
The Environmental Impact Statement should be complete by 2027.
In the meantime, public comment is open for the next 30 days and will be open through January 4th, 2026.
Ultimately, the final decision will be made by the U.S. Navy Secretary.
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