The Vermont Air National Guard says 20 F-35 jets are coming to Burlington International Airport next year, despite opposition from local leaders.
The jets will begin arriving in September 2019 and will replace a fleet of older F-16 jets.
Local 22 News reports Colonel Adam Rice says the base has "$100 million in facility upgrades under contract." Upgrades include an operations building, a maintenance hangar and mission simulators.
Officials in South Burlington voted against basing the jets at the airport. Burlington passed a resolution earlier this year requesting the Air Force use an aircraft quieter than the F-35.
The resolutions are not legally binding over the Air Force, which is part of the Department of Defense. Vermont's congressional delegation supports the jets' basing in Burlington.
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