F-35 Arrival for the Vermont ANG - 9/19/19

F-35 Arrival for the Vermont ANG - 9/19/19

Five months and thirteen days after the final F-16’s left Burlington to go to the NJ ANG, their next fighters, the F-35 Lightning II arrived. Maple 91, flown by Commander Lt Col. Anthony Marek and Lt Col. Nathan Graber of the 134th Fighter Squadron. With all the negative publicity the local media gives the F-35, there were only supporters along the fence of Burlington airport cheering on the 2 pilots as they made a few passes over the airport before landing.

It was an exciting day for the Vermont Air National Guard and I was glad I was able to witness it. The 134th Fighter Squadron is scheduled to receive two fighters a month till they reach their twenty air frame count.

The Vermont Air National Guard, known as the Green Mountain Boys have flown 8 other aircraft prior to receiving the F-35. They started out back in 1947 flying T-6 Trainers and P-47’s then transitioned to the P-51 Mustang in 1950. In 1953 they moved into the T-33 which started their conversion into the F-94 Starfire. In 1958 the F89D Scorpions replaced the Starfires until 1965 when they transitioned into the F-102 Delta Dagger. 1980 started the change into the F-4D Phantom, a 2 seat, dual engine fighter. The F-16’s came to Burlington in 1986 and flew over 30 years over the New England skies till April of 2019.

On Dec 5th, 2019 3 new F-35's arrived. 17-5277, 17-5278 & 17-5280 to bring the units total to 5

Maple91 Wing Jet flown by Commander Lt Col. Anthony Marek 2nd F-35 flown by Lt Col. Nathan Graber 158th FW Jet peels off after a low approach Maple91 wingman
Maple91 wingman Landing the new F-35 and heading to the guard ramp Landing the new F-35 and heading to the guard ramp Landing the new F-35 and heading to the guard ramp 158TH FW jet takes off
17-5277 17-5277 17-5278 17-5280 17-5280
17-5265 And then there was 5 F-353 Family Day at KBTV F-353 Family Day at KBTV F-353 Family Day at KBTV