by Guy Page
The Vermont Air National Guard dispatched four F-35’s to conduct Independence Day flyovers across the length and breadth of the state yesterday.
The flyover flight – Facebook users can see it in all of its adrenaline-pumping glory here – began at 10 AM in Colchester, veered north to cross Westford, Fairfax and Alburg, then turned east to Derby, south to Jeffersonville, crossed the Connecticut River to New Hampshire for a minute, and then continued to criss-cross the state, with Essex Junction its last flyover before landing in South Burlington.
The flight made plenty of noise in social media as well, as the social media thread on Wednesday’s promo on VDC shows.
“Gee, no request from Burlington? Thank you to the 158th Fighter Wing for what is always a dazzling display of air power, and thank God they are on “our side”. There is no better thunder on Independence Day than that produced by a Pratt and Whitney afterburning turbofan,” Rich LaChappelle wrote.
Michael J. Hall wrote, “Hats off to our men in Blue! I worked on the flight line at P.A.F.B. 1976-1979 380th OMS and there is nothing more intense than viewing a FB-111 taking off in full AB from the distance of 100 ft while sitting in a Launch 1 metro van parked on the taxiway. The walls of the van were literally vibrating. Awesome experience it was. “
But Concerned Taxpayer was a Debby Downer to the flyover party.
“Just so you know how your tax dollars are spent, flying a single F-35 runs up hourly operating cost of $30,000-35,000, per jet-flying hour. And the cost of each one those F35A jets is more than $100 million apiece. The 158th Fighter Wing’s operating expenses alone cost an average estimate of $169,000,000 on “defense” every year.”
Ditto, said another commenter.
“Unfortunately (or fortunately) I look at it that way too. That is a huge taxpayer expense for an aircraft, fuel, pilots and ground crew on a holiday probably getting double time pay, etc, plus a bit more emissions into the air. The huge amount of money spent on fireworks everywhere is also a somewhat wasteful expense, considering that those funds could be spent elsewhere where it would be of more benefit.”
Their comments elicited a partly facetious reply….
“You certainly know how to put a damper on celebrating the nation’s birthday. I guess I’m just going to stay home because I certainly don’t want to be part of knowing we are wasting taxpayers’ money and I certainly don’t want to be part of putting more emissions in the air. I hope you both have a great 4th hiding in your bedroom.”
About that cost thing….Dylan Magwire of Orange County had something to say: “This counts as training time so the money was going to be spent anyways. Might as well see what we pay for. It could also help boost recruitment for the military.”
In fact, the Air Guard today posted a video of the flyover over the beaches and parks of Malletts Bay, praising the pleasant living environment in Vermont – an obvious appeal to out-of-state residents considering service with the Guard.
Added another reader: “Money well spent, if they weren’t here there would be a loss of over 300 jobs.”