releases: http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coffman-disappointed-in-f-35-basing-decision
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://coffman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coffman-disappointed-in-f-35-basing-decision | Coffman Disappointed in F-35 Basing Decision | 2016-12-07 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | CO | Mike Coffman | C001077 | coffman.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO) today expressed his extreme disappointment regarding the Air Force’s announcement that Buckley Air Force Base (AFB) did not make the list to get the F-35 aircraft in the latest competitive round. The F-35 is the Air Force’s replacement for the F-16, which the Colorado Air National Guard currently flies out of Buckley. The F-16s are aging and under current plans, the Air Force will retire them by 2030. Without the basing of the new F-35 aircraft to replace the F-16's, Buckley will probably no longer be able to maintain an active runway. “While I am extremely disappointed by the Air Force’s announcement today, this is not the end of the road,” said Coffman. “I will continue to work hard for the long-term viability of Buckley and to highlight the advantages the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard brings as a future home for the F-35. There will be additional rounds where Buckley will have an opportunity to compete for the basing of the F-35." Coffman has increased funding for the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI). REPI provides funds to acquire additional open space surrounding a base to stop encroachment. Encroachment is a significant concern for Buckley and the Air Force as the City of Aurora continues to grow. The F-35 has a larger noise signature than the F-16 so a larger buffer area is essential to give the Air Force the confidence of ongoing community support for F-35. Buckley expects to successfully compete for some of these additional Air Force funds to complete the acquisition of its planned 1,000-acre open space buffer zone along with matching contributions from the State of Colorado, Arapahoe County, and the City of Aurora. In June 2016, Coffman led a bipartisan, bicameral letter sent to the Secretary of the Air Force to demonstrate the strong support from the State of Colorado for the basing the F-35 at Buckley. Signed by the entire Colorado Congressional delegation and Governor John Hickenlooper (D-CO), the letter calls out Buckley as an ideal basing option for the F-35 for a number of reasons. These include factors such as varying terrain for training exercises, strategic partnerships overseas, community support, and millions of dollars in renovations made to Buckley over the past 15 years. “I look forward to continuing my strategic partnerships with state and local leaders to best position Buckley for future missions,” Coffman continued. “I am absolutely confident that we can all work together to ensure Buckley is a strong contender when future F-35 basing decisions are made.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |