MADISON (WKOW) --- For nearly two years, the groundwork has been laid to bring an Air National Guard F-35A base to the Wisconsin Air National Guard at Truax Field.
The mission of the 115th fighter wing contributes roughly $100 million every year to the local economy. Getting the state-of-the-art aircraft will keep those dollars here and likely bring in more.
Madison's Truax Field had been listed as a finalist for the last year. And now, its official -- Madison's Air National Guard base will become home to the next generation of F-35A aircraft.
Flanked by members of the 115th fighter wing, Governor Scott Walker made the announcement Thursday at Truax Field.
“I got a call from the Secretary Wilson to officially tell us that the 115th fighter wing here at Truax Field has now become the preferred site for the new F-35A Lighting II. And so we couldn't be more thrilled and proud to have that here today,” Walker said.