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Fla. town on the defensive against noisy F-35

The noise of the Joint Strike Fighter’s engines could be turning into a roaring problem in Florida.

At issue is the Defense Department’s plan to open the joint F-35 pilot and maintenance school at Eglin Air Force Base in 2010. Plans call for the school to be home to 2,326 military and civilian personnel.

But civic leaders in the town of Valparaiso, about a mile from Eglin’s runways, became concerned when they learned the F-35 Lightning II is predicted to be twice as loud as the F-15 Eagles and F-16s Fighting Falcons that now fly in and out of Eglin. More than 120 F-35 takeoffs are likely each day, and noise levels will reach 65 to 75 decibels as the jets pass over Valparaiso.

City officials want the Air Force to look at alternatives, such as restricting flights over the town and using different runways.

Air Force officials insist those options are still on the table as a final environmental impact statement for the new school is drafted.

But Valparaiso Mayor Bruce Arnold said the federal government has offered no assurances. Instead, government officials have talked about Valparaiso residents moving or sound-proofing their homes, businesses and schools, he said.

Valparaiso also is suing the Air Force to force the government to give the town detailed information on the environmental consequences more quickly.

Nonetheless, Arnold said he is optimistic.

“We want the F-35,” he said. “We feel this problem can be resolved.”