Shaw, McEntire considered to house F-35

By ANNABELLE ROBERTSON
Item Staff Writer
arobertson@theitem.com

Shaw Air Force Base is on a short list of military installations being considered to house the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, officials announced Thursday.

The list, approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force, identifies 11 Air Force bases and Air National Guard stations as "candidate bases." McEntire Joint National Guard Base also made the cut from the original group of more than 200 installations.

"Outstanding!" said Col. Joe Guastella, commander of Shaw's 20th Fighter Wing, in a news release. "We are delighted and proud that Air Force and civilian leadership have recognized the value of Shaw as one of the top candidate bases for the Joint Strike Fighter. This is a great day for Shaw, for Sumter and for South Carolina!"

Air Force officials said they expect to announce "preferred locations" for the Joint Strike Fighter in late spring. After the Air Force completes formal environment impact statements on each area, it is expected to announce its final decision on where to house the F-35 by early 2011.

For more details, see Friday's edition of The Item.