U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Congratulates Dedicated Men and Women of the 115th Fighter Wing on U.S. Air Force Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin congratulated the dedicated men and women of the 115th Fighter Wing after the U.S. Air Force announced that Wisconsin Air National Guard’s Truax Field has been selected as a preferred location for an Air National Guard F-35 squadron.

“I congratulate the dedicated men and women of the 115th Fighter Wing. I have been proud to play a lead role within the Wisconsin Congressional delegation advocating for the 115^th, and I am pleased that the Air Force has recognized the tremendous strategic, geographic and economic capabilities that Truax offers,” said Senator Baldwin. “The 115th Fighter Wing plays an essential role in protecting the safety and security of Wisconsin and our nation. I am excited about Truax’s selection for this new mission and the enduring benefit it will provide to our economy and the State of Wisconsin.”

In addition to the contributions to our nation’s and Wisconsin’s security, basing the F-35 mission at Truax Field would maintain the more than 1,650 jobs to which the 115th currently contributes, as well as the continuity of services the unit provides to the city and state, while also benefiting regional retail, healthcare, real estate, food services and construction industries. Over the lifetime of the F-35 mission, there is an estimated economic impact of $4.8 billion.

Having represented and advocated on behalf of the base for more than 17 years in Congress, Senator Baldwin has played a leading role organizing the Wisconsin Congressional delegation’s support for the Truax effort. In recent years, Senator Baldwin has sent multiple letters to and has held numerous discussions with Air Force senior leaders, including the current and former Secretaries and Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force, in support of the effort to base the F-35 mission at Truax Field.