The Pentagon’s recent decision to bring a major F-35 program to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base not only means more jobs for the area, but more notoriety within the U.S. military.

  • WPAFB will house F-35 support program
  • At least 400 more jobs expected
  • The F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is made by Lockheed Martin

“Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is one of the most effective Air Force bases in the country for our nation’s defense,” said Representative Steve Stivers (OH-15).

That’s why military leaders have chosen the base to be the new home for the F-35 Lightning II Hybrid Product Support Integrator (HPSI) organization, a program that helps support the global fleet of F-35 jets that help keep America safe.

“It does show that Wright-Patt is the gem of the Air Force,” said Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). “I mean, there is no place like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with its history, with its productivity, with its research abilities, its economic reach.”

The new program will add at least 400 more jobs to the base, which already employs over 27,000 people and is the largest single site employer in Ohio.

“It has a lot of roles besides just that, within the Air Force, and within our military and our national security footprint,” said Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-02).

The base is in Rep. Mike Turner’s 10th district, which prompted him to work with Senators Brown and Rob Portman to convince the Air Force to choose Wright-Patt.

Turner and Brown said in statements that this decision is a testament to the workforce already there, and Ohio’s growing role in protecting the United States. The entire Buckeye congressional delegation signed this letter back in April, making the case for Wright-Patt.

Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06) served 27 years in the Air Force and said it’s a big deal this base was chosen

“The F-35 is the modern generation, next advanced fighter, so I think it’s great for the people of Ohio and for Wright-Patterson,” Johnson said.

The secretary of the Air Force said in a statement that moving the F-35 program from its current home in Virginia to Wright-Patt will help lower the cost of sustaining the fighter jets.