F-35 Military Jets are Coming to Madison. Now What?
F-35 military fighter jets are expected to arrive in Madison as early as April. Madison is the second Air National Guard in the nation to receive the military’s newest jets. They’ll be stationed at Truax field, next to the airport and Madison College.
The Wisconsin Air National Guard calls them a “game changer.” The federal F-35 program - the most expensive weapon in US history - was designed to give the military a “Swiss Army knife” jet capable of handling a multitude of missions.
Many others have called them a boondoggle. The jets have been delayed for years, gone over budget, and faced numerous technical problems. The Madison City Council has called on the Secretary of the Air Force to station them elsewhere. Madison residents have raised concerns about the noise and potential health impacts of the jets, as well as their nuclear capabilities.
So what can we expect when these jets arrive?
Retired Air Force Colonel Rosanne Greco knows first-hand what it’s like to live with F-35s. At first, she thought the noise complaints were “wimpy.” Now? Not so much.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Twitter and Instagram!
Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
Police Monitor Blames MPD for Man’s Death, Plus Ridglan Farms To Close
Richard Lee Johnson died on Dec. 31, 2024, after being arrested the previous night. A new report by the Office of the Independent Polic...
Regent Street Redesign, Tourism Boom, and Juneteenth Events in Madison
After months of public input, Regent Street is getting a major redesign which will include wider sidewalks, fewer driving lanes, added pa...
Why Madison Needs The Center for Black Excellence and Culture
The new Center for Black Excellence and Culture has officially opened! City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sits down with founder Rev. D...
'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Madison
Do you know how many parks Madison has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cas...
City Anticipates Budget Cuts, Madison’s Election Trust Crisis, and Free Meals for Local Kids
This week, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told city agencies to be prepared to cut 2% from their budgets amid inflation and higher fue...
Spicy Takes From Madison’s Chef of the Year. Plus, WTF Is Cookie Salad?!?
Chef Patrick O’Halloran has been cooking for Madison for decades, and his latest business, The Deliciouser, blends spices, classes, and g...
Hot Takes on Madison’s Queer Scene
It’s Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again fo...
Honoring Michael Johnson, Public Art Woes, and Pop-Ups at Madison Public Market
We start today’s show remembering and mourning community leader Michael Johnson. Host Bianca Martin reflects with executive producer Hayl...
Police Monitor Answers Her Critics
Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board and Office of the Independent Police Monitor are once again under scrutiny as the city consider...
'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Madison
Madison recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city p...