Pat Richter: F-35 assignment is well-deserved recognition for 115th Fighter Wing

Dear Editor: I would like to add my voice to those supporting the basing of F-35 fighter jets at Dane County Regional Airport. My exposure to the jets and flight path to and from Truax goes back to the late 1940s. We lived east of the Yahara River on Rutledge Street and later on Yahara Place and were beneath the Truax landing approach flight path at both locations.

Growing up I don’t know if there was anything more exciting than watching the evolution of fighter jets that flew overhead –from the F-51 to the F-86 to the F-89 to the F-102 to the A-10 to the current F-16s. I still live on the east side and can honestly say it still gives me a chill of excitement and pride when the F-16s return to base on their landing approach over our home. And nothing can compare to an F-16 flyover at Camp Randall on game day, except maybe an F-35 flyover!

In this, the 70th year of an uninterrupted Air Force mission at Truax, as a founding member of the Badger Air Community Council board of directors I am very proud and thankful for the recognition that the 115th Fighter Wing has so justly received with this mission assignment. It is through their unwavering dedication and professionalism that this opportunity has been presented and it is something for which we should all be very proud.

A long time east sider and Badger,

Pat Richter
Badger Air Community Council board member

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