HILL AFB — Hill Air Force Base’s selection as one of the Air Force’s “preferred sites for initial operational bed down” of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is being lauded by government and base officials.

“It’s very exciting news to receive the preferred status,” said County Commissioner Louenda Downs. The base is the state’s largest single site employer. “We all know HAFB makes great sense as far as housing three squadrons of F-35.

“We have the expertise and maintenance capabilities, the testing range that is nearly unsurpassed, and our community and state couldn’t be more supportive,” she said.

“HAFB is critical to all of us economically, politically, and per our national security. Having it strategically located in Davis County is also a great patriotic reminder of our freedoms and our investment to insure them,” Downs added.

“Just as the (Congressional) delegation has robustly supported F-16 operations at Hill and over the Utah Training & Testing Range for more than 30 years, the delegation relishes the opportunity to be a stalwart proponent of the F-35 mission and training at Hill and the UTTR,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

“We fully support Hill’s candidacy to be one of the Air Force’s first bases to receive operational F-35 aircraft,” the state’s senior senator and strong HAFB supporter said.

The first two squadrons could be operational as early as three years from now, said Rep. Rob Bishop, who noted the base “would likely obtain a third operational squadron mid-2019, assuming the F-35 program remains funded and on-course.”

Meanwhile, F-16s currently stationed at Hill in two remaining squadrons at the 388th Fighter Wing are gradually being shifted into Air National Guard units nationwide. It’s hoped to replace those jets with new F-35s as they roll off the production line in 2013, Bishop said.

“Utah, and specifically Hill AFB, is home to one of our nation’s premier air-combat training facilities and I am pleased it will be home to the new F-35,” Bishop said.

“It makes perfect sense for the Air Force to select Hill given its proximity to the ‘incomparable’ UTTR, and also the squadron’s co-location with the Ogden Air Logistics Center, which will maintain the F-35 for decades to come,” Bishop continued.

“While the decision is not 100 percent concrete until the final Environmental Impact Statement is complete, I am confident we will clear all necessary requirements to ensure Hill continues to play a prominent role in the Air Force’s readiness and training capabilities,” he added.

“Team Hill and the 388th FW are honored to have been selected as one of the preferred sites,” said Col. Scott Zobrist, 388th FW commander.

“The fact Hill was included is a testament to the important role it and all of Utah play in our nation’s defense,” the commander said.

“From a historical perspective, it’s somewhat fitting that Hill be selected as one of the first candidates to get the F-35, because it was also the first Air Force unit to receive the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1979,” Zobrist said.

He said the EIS is projected to be completed in early 2011.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com