Media Advisory and Background: F-35 Event
Salt Lake City—This Friday, Senator Hatch will participate in a ceremony at Hill Air Force Base celebrating the Initial Operating Capability of the F-35. The 34th Fighter Squadron based at Hill is the Air Force’s first operational F-35 formation.
Senator Hatch and Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James Inspecting an F-35 at Andrews Air Force Base
Speaking of the F-35 and the importance of Hill Air Force Base, Hatch said, “Throughout my service in the Senate, I have long endeavored to strengthen Hill Air Force Base and support the men and women who work there. As one of Utah’s largest employers, Hill is a boon to our economy and a blessing to many families in the Beehive State. The base also plays an indispensable role in our national defense—a role that has grown even more critical with the arrival of the F-35. I am committed to keeping our nation safe, which is why I am working to keep Hill Air Force Base strong."
Background
For more than a decade, Senator Hatch has worked to highlight the unique capabilities of Hill Air Force Base to senior Defense Department officials, making the case that Hill should be chosen to receive the first operational squadron of F-35s.
The F-35 Program in the Senate
Military leaders have praised Senator Hatch as a champion the F-35 program in the Senate due to his support of key legislation and his role as an unofficial liason between military leaders and his Senate colleagues, helping to clarify certain aspects of the program and debunk misconceptions both behind the scenes and on the Senate Floor. Members of the Joint Executive Steering Board (JESB) for the Joint Strike Fighter Program—which includes all the Services’ 3-Star Generals as well as the international partners’ equivalent officers—have repeatedly praised Senator Hatch for his advocacy of the F-35 program.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said, “Senator Hatch is keenly aware that air superiority is a critical precondition to successful military operations and as such, has been instrumental in getting this much needed capability to our first operational location, Hill AFB."
Lieutenant General Christopher Bogdan, the head of the F-35 program, touted Hatch’s role in bringing the F-35 program to Utah. “I don’t think we could be where we are without him,” he asserted. “I think Senator Hatch is one of the finest gentlemen I’ve met in my entire life. He’s a fantastic leader, he is an honor to this country, and we need more like him. Second, he has done more in the Senate to dispel rumors about this airplane and to bring the truth and the facts out more than any other statesman I know of. He does it in a way that is trustworthy and credible, he deals with the facts, he gets above the politics, and he is a fabulous supporter of the airplane.”
General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, Air Combat Command Commander and 4-Star General, said, "The arrival of the [F-35] at Hill Air Force Base is a significant milestone on our path to delivering Air Dominance for decades to come. The Lightning provides an increased lethality through advanced sensor fusion and survivability that is essential to our success against the growing number of globally advanced threats. We are extremely grateful to Senator Hatch, all the members of the state delegation, and the people of Utah for their continued support as we work to answer our nation's calling both at home and abroad."
Utah Test and Training Range
The Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) provides essential resources and capabilities for the United States Air Force. Here, our service members prepare and learn to adapt to constantly evolving threats by training with the latest fifth-generation weapon systems. The F-22 Raptor and the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter are among the weapon systems critical to our national defense that utilize UTTR. But these fighter jets are vastly more sophisticated than their predecessors. Therefore, they require different capabilities than what UTTR has provided over the last 60 years.
To ensure that the Air Force has access to the necessary infrastructure to test the F-35 and train its crews for combat, Senator Hatch led efforts to expand the Range in a manner that preserves access for Utahns. Over the past year, Senator Hatch has worked hard to develop a proposal that will improve the UTTR’s capabilities with minimal effect on the use of and access to the land surrounding the range.
Throughout the development of his UTTR expansion proposal, Senator Hatch has worked tirelessly to gather public input and ensure that the expansion of the range—which is a critical national security priority—does not come at the expense of Utahns who depend on the affected lands. You can find more about Senator Hatch's efforts, including a link to his draft expansion proposal, here.
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Hatch Statement on Outdoor Retail Industry’s Decision to Support a National Monument at Bears Ears
SALT LAKE CITY—Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, issued the following statement following the Outdoor Retail Show’s press event announcing support for a national monument at Bears Ears:
“Utahns have welcomed the outdoor retailers to our State for years. People come from all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty Utah has to offer, often using products produced by companies that showcase their equipment at our summer and winter markets. We are glad to host their trade show in Salt Lake City and hope to do so for many years to come.”
“It is unfortunate that a few visiting company leaders chose to ignore the legislative solution members of the Utah delegation, led by Congressman Bishop, have developed to address both conservation and development needs in southeastern Utah. Most Utahns agree that local stakeholders -- not outsiders -- should have a primary role in striking the appropriate balance and exercising responsible stewardship over the lands they inhabit.”
“Earlier this year I spent a week traveling through Southern Utah, visiting the individuals who will be most directly affected by a national monument designation. In my view, those elected to represent these people and lands ought to be responsible for crafting a sensible solution, rather than a unilateral presidential designation and enforcement by Washington bureaucrats. I will continue to advocate for a balanced legislative approach rather than a one-sided presidential mandate.”
In May, Senator Hatch visited Bears Ears and met with local stakeholders. You can find out more about that visit here.
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