NEW ORLEANS — From Better New Orleans Inc.:
The Division of the Air Drive chosen Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans among the many subsequent bases to obtain certainly one of its two latest fighters, alongside a fleet of plane to Fresno Air Nationwide Guard Base, California, and Barnes Air Nationwide Guard Base, Massachusetts. As a part of the announcement, the Louisiana Air Nationwide Guard will obtain 18 F-15EX Eagle IIs to proceed their mission of defending and defending the Gulf South area of the USA, as they’ve for many years.
“This new funding into NAS JRB New Orleans will assist revitalize and maintain a key financial asset for Plaquemines and the Area, whereas strengthening the safety of the Gulf and our nation,” stated Michael Hecht, GNO Inc. president and CEO. “GNO, Inc. has advocated for this consequence over a few years, alongside Louisiana Financial Growth, native leaders, and army companions throughout the state. We particularly owe a debt of gratitude to Louisiana’s federal delegation, which has remained dedicated to and supportive of securing new plane for Belle Chasse.”
These new fighters will change an growing older fleet of F-15C and F-15D jets, a lot of that are approaching or above 40 years in age. The Louisiana Air Guard executes on state and federal missions to offer skilled, well-equipped personnel alongside the energetic forces throughout each nationwide emergencies and/or conflict, and to offer help to our state throughout pure disasters and civil disturbances. The 159th Fighter Wing, who will function the brand new F-15EXs, can be a part of a community of Air Drive items tasked with the 24/7 Aerospace Management Alert mission defending the nation’s airspace from threats.
“It’s been a problem sustaining such growing older plane, a lot of that are considerably older than the maintainers engaged on them,” stated Col. Jonathan Mumme, 159th Fighter Wing Commander, “however I couldn’t be extra pleased with our Louisiana Airmen for the miraculous effort they put in every day to maintain us flying. The Alert mission requires we launch jets inside minutes in response to any menace from the sky, and the F-15EX will present the suitable platform for that mission’s success nicely into the long run.”
The addition of recent plane reinforces the worth of our area’s army property and a continued dedication for essential operations to proceed in Belle Chasse, as validated by Louisiana’s elected management, who advocated through the years for the deployment of those fighters. The 159th Fighter Wing employs over 1,400 Airmen and the unit’s operations creates $765 million in annual financial output by way of labor, contracts, and funds into native and state taxes.
The choice to host the subsequent F-35As and the F-15EXs at their respective bases got here after conducting web site surveys at every location, assessing the situation’s skill to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capability, whereas accounting for neighborhood help, environmental components and price. The Division of the Air Drive will conduct environmental impression analyses at every base, that are anticipated to be accomplished in spring 2024 earlier than a closing resolution is made.