SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Air National Guard pilots are going to continue flying F-35 fighter planes while 50 air guard members are helping the state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the guard said Friday.
Col. David Shevchik, the commander of the 158th Fighter Wing, which flies the jets, said they have a responsibility to meet their federal conversion timeline after switching from the F-16 to the F-35s.
“We take our state and federal missions very seriously and are taking every precaution to maintain the health of our force during this unprecedented time,” Shevchik said in a statement distributed by the guard.
Vermont Adjutant Gen. Greg Knight said the guard has the responsibility to support Vermont while also maintaining readiness for federal call-ups.
“We will practice social distancing in all our training to include a virtual drill for at least April,” Knight said.
The air guard now has 15 F-35s. By mid-year they will have 20 of the aircraft, which replaced the F-16 fighters the Vermont guard used to fly.
The planes will continue with their regular morning and early afternoon takeoffs.
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