Question 1

Is the F-35 a nuclear bomber?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It has been listed as such in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review.  In that document it is labeled a dual-capable aircraft, which means it can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons.  A new nuclear gravity bomb, the B61-12, is being developed specifically to fit the F-35 bomb bay.

Question 2

Is the F-35 a nuclear bomber?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It has been listed as such in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review.  In that document it is labeled a dual-capable aircraft, which means it can carry both nuclear and conventional weapons.  A new nuclear gravity bomb, the B61-12, is being developed specifically to fit the F-35 bomb bay.

Question 3

What is the difference between an aircraft having a nuclear capability and having a nuclear role?

Accepted Answer

Capability refers to whether the aircraft has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate nuclear weapons.  Role refers to whether the aircraft has the mission, or the requirement, to deploy nuclear weapons if so ordered.

Question 4

What is the difference between an aircraft having a nuclear capability and having a nuclear role?

Accepted Answer

Capability refers to whether the aircraft has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate nuclear weapons.  Role refers to whether the aircraft has the mission, or the requirement, to deploy nuclear weapons if so ordered.

Question 5

Will the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35s be nuclear capable?

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  The F-35 models currently planned for Vermont do not appear to yet have nuclear wiring.  However, most, if not all, F-35s may eventually be upgraded to have a nuclear capability.

Question 6

Will the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35s be nuclear capable?

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  The F-35 models currently planned for Vermont do not appear to yet have nuclear wiring.  However, most, if not all, F-35s may eventually be upgraded to have a nuclear capability.

Question 7

Will we know if and when the military decides to give Vermont’s F-35s a nuclear capability and a nuclear mission?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely.  Should this happen, it is unlikely that it will be made public, as it is probably classified information. In the 1960’s the Vermont Air Guard carried nuclear weapons and the public was unaware of this capability and role.

Question 8

Will we know if and when the military decides to give Vermont’s F-35s a nuclear capability and a nuclear mission?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely.  Should this happen, it is unlikely that it will be made public, as it is probably classified information. In the 1960’s the Vermont Air Guard carried nuclear weapons and the public was unaware of this capability and role.

Question 9

Will the Vermont Air National Guard carry nuclear bombs?

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  This will likely be classified information, and would not be made public.

Question 10

Will the Vermont Air National Guard carry nuclear bombs?

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  This will likely be classified information, and would not be made public.

Question 11

Will nuclear bombs be stored in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  This will likely be classified information, and thus would not be made public.  However, in the past, the nuclear weapons for the Vermont Air Guard’s F-89s were most likely stored in Burlington.

Question 12

Will nuclear bombs be stored in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  This will likely be classified information, and thus would not be made public.  However, in the past, the nuclear weapons for the Vermont Air Guard’s F-89s were most likely stored in Burlington.

Question 13

Were the Vermont Air Guard to initiate a nuclear attack with their F-35s, would the location of their nuclear bombs be important?"

Accepted Answer

No.  If the Vermont Air Guard were directed to conduct a nuclear first strike with their F-35s, they would have the time to upload the nuclear bombs regardless of where they are stored.

Question 14

Were the Vermont Air Guard to initiate a nuclear attack with their F-35s, would the location of their nuclear bombs be important?"

Accepted Answer

No.  If the Vermont Air Guard were directed to conduct a nuclear first strike with their F-35s, they would have the time to upload the nuclear bombs regardless of where they are stored.

Question 15

Is the storage location of nuclear bombs an important factor in being a target?

Accepted Answer

No.  Generally, the enemy targets the delivery vehicle —the F-35— not the bombs.

Question 16

Is the storage location of nuclear bombs an important factor in being a target?

Accepted Answer

No.  Generally, the enemy targets the delivery vehicle —the F-35— not the bombs.

Question 17

Why would Senators Leahy and Sanders, and Representative Welsh support the basing of a nuclear bomber in Vermont?"

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  It is possible they were unaware of the F-35s nuclear capability and role, since the Air Force did not mention this in the 2012-2013 Environmental Impact Statement.  The F-35s nuclear capability and mission were revealed to the public in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review

Question 18

Why would Senators Leahy and Sanders, and Representative Welsh support the basing of a nuclear bomber in Vermont?"

Accepted Answer

Unknown.  It is possible they were unaware of the F-35s nuclear capability and role, since the Air Force did not mention this in the 2012-2013 Environmental Impact Statement.  The F-35s nuclear capability and mission were revealed to the public in the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review

Question 19

Is the Vermont Guard a nuclear target now?

Accepted Answer

No.  The Vermont Air National Guard is not a nuclear target, since the F-16s pose no nuclear threat to our enemies.

Question 20

Is the Vermont Guard a nuclear target now?

Accepted Answer

No.  The Vermont Air National Guard is not a nuclear target, since the F-16s pose no nuclear threat to our enemies.

Question 21

Will the Vermont Guard be a nuclear target if F-35s are based at the Vermont Air Guard?

Accepted Answer

Probably.  Since the Pentagon has announced that the F-35 will have both nuclear capability and a nuclear mission, there is a high probability that the Vermont Air Guard and the Burlington airport will become a nuclear target once the F-35s are based there.   Strategic nuclear planners target delivery vehicles, i.e., the aircraft not the bombs.  Therefore, there is a high probability that all F-35 bases will become nuclear targets.

Question 22

Will the Vermont Guard be a nuclear target if F-35s are based at the Vermont Air Guard?

Accepted Answer

Probably.  Since the Pentagon has announced that the F-35 will have both nuclear capability and a nuclear mission, there is a high probability that the Vermont Air Guard and the Burlington airport will become a nuclear target once the F-35s are based there.   Strategic nuclear planners target delivery vehicles, i.e., the aircraft not the bombs.  Therefore, there is a high probability that all F-35 bases will become nuclear targets.

Question 23

Has the Vermont Air Guard ever carried nuclear weapons before?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Vermont Air Guard’s F-89s carried nuclear weapons.  They carried the AIR-2 Genie nuclear tipped air-to-air missiles.

Question 24

Has the Vermont Air Guard ever carried nuclear weapons before?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Vermont Air Guard’s F-89s carried nuclear weapons.  They carried the AIR-2 Genie nuclear tipped air-to-air missiles.

Question 25

Do we have a say in the basing of the F-35 nuclear bomber in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Air Force actively solicited the public’s views on the basing.  Were the Governor, or the Vermont legislators, and/or the Congressional delegation to request an aircraft change, the Air Force would likely comply.

Question 26

Do we have a say in the basing of the F-35 nuclear bomber in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Air Force actively solicited the public’s views on the basing.  Were the Governor, or the Vermont legislators, and/or the Congressional delegation to request an aircraft change, the Air Force would likely comply.

Question 27

Can we stop the basing of F-35 nuclear bombers in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  People in other U.S. states have stopped military aircraft basing actions.

Question 28

Can we stop the basing of F-35 nuclear bombers in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  People in other U.S. states have stopped military aircraft basing actions.

Question 29

What are the chances of Vermont being part of a nuclear exchange?

Accepted Answer

Likely, especially if F-35s are used in a first strike nuclear attack.

Question 30

What are the chances of Vermont being part of a nuclear exchange?

Accepted Answer

Likely, especially if F-35s are used in a first strike nuclear attack.

Question 31

Will jobs be lost or the economy harmed if the F-35 is not based with the Vermont Air Guard?

Accepted Answer

No.  The Air Force assured the public in their Environmental Impact Statement and in written responses, that Vermont’s Air Guard would be assigned another mission, to include a flying mission, if the F-35s were not based in Vermont.  Other missions have the potential to increase the number of VT Air Guard jobs.

Question 32

Will jobs be lost or the economy harmed if the F-35 is not based with the Vermont Air Guard?

Accepted Answer

No.  The Air Force assured the public in their Environmental Impact Statement and in written responses, that Vermont’s Air Guard would be assigned another mission, to include a flying mission, if the F-35s were not based in Vermont.  Other missions have the potential to increase the number of VT Air Guard jobs.

Question 33

Will the F-35 bring any additional jobs or benefit the economy?

Accepted Answer

No.  The Air Force stated in their Environmental Impact Statement that the F-35 would bring no new jobs.  In fact, Vermont Adjutant General Dubie said that the Vermont Air Guard might lose some maintainer jobs if the F-35 replaces the F-16.

Question 34

Will the F-35 bring any additional jobs or benefit the economy?

Accepted Answer

No.  The Air Force stated in their Environmental Impact Statement that the F-35 would bring no new jobs.  In fact, Vermont Adjutant General Dubie said that the Vermont Air Guard might lose some maintainer jobs if the F-35 replaces the F-16.

Question 35

Will the F-35 cause harm to the Burlington area?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Air Force reported that most of the fifteen areas evaluated under the U.S. Environmental policies, would be negatively impacted by the F-35.  The areas negatively impacted include air quality, land use, socioeconomics, environmental justice, protection of children, noise, community facilities, public services, ground traffic and transportation, climate change, cumulative effects and the irreversible commitment of resources.

Question 36

Will the F-35 cause harm to the Burlington area?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  The Air Force reported that most of the fifteen areas evaluated under the U.S. Environmental policies, would be negatively impacted by the F-35.  The areas negatively impacted include air quality, land use, socioeconomics, environmental justice, protection of children, noise, community facilities, public services, ground traffic and transportation, climate change, cumulative effects and the irreversible commitment of resources.

Question 37

Will the entire Vermont National Guard, including the Vermont Army Guard, close down if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?"

Accepted Answer

No.  The Vermont Army Guard is not affected by Air Guard missions.

Question 38

Will the entire Vermont National Guard, including the Vermont Army Guard, close down if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?"

Accepted Answer

No.  The Vermont Army Guard is not affected by Air Guard missions.

Question 39

Will the Vermont Air Guard close down if the F-35 is not based with it?

Accepted Answer

No.  Every U.S. state has an Air Guard with a mission.  Vermont’s Air Guard would be assigned another mission.

Question 40

Will the Vermont Air Guard close down if the F-35 is not based with it?

Accepted Answer

No.  Every U.S. state has an Air Guard with a mission.  Vermont’s Air Guard would be assigned another mission.

Question 41

Will the Vermont Air Guard lose a flying mission if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain.  The Air Force stated in their 2012-2013 Environmental Impact Statement that “…if there is no F-35 operational basing at Burlington AGS the current mission would continue.”  The Air Force Secretary reiterated that in 2016 court documents stating, “…it expected Burlington to continue to fly military aircraft if it was not selected to host the F-35A.”  In 2018, Air Force Secretary Wilson contradicted this by writing in a letter to the mayor of Burlington that if the F-35 basing “…decision were to be reversed, the Vermont Air National Guard would likely lose their flying mission upon the retirement of the F-16s.”  However, Vermont’s powerful Congressional Senators could request another flying mission for Vermont’s Air Guard.  And, it is likely they will be successful just as Senators in other U.S. states are when they request specific military missions for their Guard units.

Question 42

Will the Vermont Air Guard lose a flying mission if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain.  The Air Force stated in their 2012-2013 Environmental Impact Statement that “…if there is no F-35 operational basing at Burlington AGS the current mission would continue.”  The Air Force Secretary reiterated that in 2016 court documents stating, “…it expected Burlington to continue to fly military aircraft if it was not selected to host the F-35A.”  In 2018, Air Force Secretary Wilson contradicted this by writing in a letter to the mayor of Burlington that if the F-35 basing “…decision were to be reversed, the Vermont Air National Guard would likely lose their flying mission upon the retirement of the F-16s.”  However, Vermont’s powerful Congressional Senators could request another flying mission for Vermont’s Air Guard.  And, it is likely they will be successful just as Senators in other U.S. states are when they request specific military missions for their Guard units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is the F-35 a nuclear bomber?

Is the F-35 a nuclear bomber?

What is the difference between an aircraft having a nuclear capability and having a nuclear role?

What is the difference between an aircraft having a nuclear capability and having a nuclear role?

Will the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35s be nuclear capable?

Will the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35s be nuclear capable?

Will we know if and when the military decides to give Vermont’s F-35s a nuclear capability and a nuclear mission?

Will we know if and when the military decides to give Vermont’s F-35s a nuclear capability and a nuclear mission?

Will the Vermont Air National Guard carry nuclear bombs?

Will the Vermont Air National Guard carry nuclear bombs?

Will nuclear bombs be stored in Vermont?

Will nuclear bombs be stored in Vermont?

Were the Vermont Air Guard to initiate a nuclear attack with their F-35s, would the location of their nuclear bombs be important?"

Were the Vermont Air Guard to initiate a nuclear attack with their F-35s, would the location of their nuclear bombs be important?"

Is the storage location of nuclear bombs an important factor in being a target?

Is the storage location of nuclear bombs an important factor in being a target?

Why would Senators Leahy and Sanders, and Representative Welsh support the basing of a nuclear bomber in Vermont?"

Why would Senators Leahy and Sanders, and Representative Welsh support the basing of a nuclear bomber in Vermont?"

Is the Vermont Guard a nuclear target now?

Is the Vermont Guard a nuclear target now?

Will the Vermont Guard be a nuclear target if F-35s are based at the Vermont Air Guard?

Will the Vermont Guard be a nuclear target if F-35s are based at the Vermont Air Guard?

Has the Vermont Air Guard ever carried nuclear weapons before?

Has the Vermont Air Guard ever carried nuclear weapons before?

Do we have a say in the basing of the F-35 nuclear bomber in Vermont?

Do we have a say in the basing of the F-35 nuclear bomber in Vermont?

Can we stop the basing of F-35 nuclear bombers in Vermont?

Can we stop the basing of F-35 nuclear bombers in Vermont?

What are the chances of Vermont being part of a nuclear exchange?

What are the chances of Vermont being part of a nuclear exchange?

Will jobs be lost or the economy harmed if the F-35 is not based with the Vermont Air Guard?

Will jobs be lost or the economy harmed if the F-35 is not based with the Vermont Air Guard?

Will the F-35 bring any additional jobs or benefit the economy?

Will the F-35 bring any additional jobs or benefit the economy?

Will the F-35 cause harm to the Burlington area?

Will the F-35 cause harm to the Burlington area?

Will the entire Vermont National Guard, including the Vermont Army Guard, close down if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?"

Will the entire Vermont National Guard, including the Vermont Army Guard, close down if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?"

Will the Vermont Air Guard close down if the F-35 is not based with it?

Will the Vermont Air Guard close down if the F-35 is not based with it?

Will the Vermont Air Guard lose a flying mission if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?

Will the Vermont Air Guard lose a flying mission if the F-35 is not based in Vermont?