The Winooski City Council recently passed a resolution urging Vermont's congressional delegation to request the US Air Force to consider altering the Vermont Air National Guard’s mission to reduce its impact on nearby communities. Since the introduction of F-35 fighter jets in Vermont airspace in 2019, residents of Chittenden County, especially those living near flight paths, have voiced ongoing concerns about noise pollution. The jets, often flying throughout the day and even late into the night, have caused significant disruption.

Winooski's action follows a similar resolution passed by Burlington’s City Council, which also called on Vermont’s congressional delegation to engage with the Air Force regarding the F-35s stationed at Burlington International Airport. Burlington’s resolution included forming a committee to track discussions about the jet noise and urged Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak to continue talks with the airport and the Air National Guard about ongoing noise mitigation efforts.

F-35 jets, developed by Lockheed Martin, are stealth aircraft designed for combat missions, known for their advanced capabilities in electronic warfare and intelligence. However, these jets are notoriously loud due to their powerful engines, producing twice the noise of the older F-16s, which were previously based at the Burlington airport.

In response to the noise concerns, Burlington International Airport initiated a Residential Sound Insulation Program aimed at reducing the impact of jet noise. This project, partly funded by the FAA, will upgrade windows, doors, and insulation in up to 2,500 homes near the airport in areas such as Winooski and South Burlington. However, the full implementation of these noise-mitigation measures is expected to take several years.

The long-term effectiveness of these resolutions remains uncertain. While the Burlington City Council recently extended the Vermont Air National Guard’s lease at the airport for another 25 years, the possibility of changing the mission of the Guard still exists. Frustrated residents have called for a reduction in the harm caused by the F-35s, but any potential change will require significant action from Vermont’s Congressional delegation, who must now advocate for the Air Force to reconsider the mission in light of the community's concerns.