Burlington Branch Resisting Imminent Arrival of F-35 Bombers at Airport

Roseanne Greco, right, speaks during a press conference held by Citizens Against Nuclear Bombers in Vermont at the State House in Montpelier on Tuesday, March 12. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger.

By Robin Lloyd
Burlington WILPF member

Burlington WILPF, together with other area peace and justice groups, is adamantly opposing the basing of the F35 nuclear capable jet bombers at our municipal airport. Up to 18 of these first strike weapons are due to arrive at our Burlington International airport in September. As the first operational F-35 Air National Guard base, Burlington Vermont would automatically become a target in the event of war. That's because nuclear weapons strategy is to target delivery vehicles (bombers, not the bombs).

A new energized group in opposition is seizing the day and raising a stink. CANBVT (Citizens Against Nuclear Bombers in Vermont) is funded and supported by ice cream mogul Ben Cohen, and articulate retired Air Force Col. Rosanne Greco, who spent 30 years on active duty in the Air Force (MAD, or mutually assured destruction was her specialty). This dynamic duo, and others, are hoping to sway the Vermont Legislature to declare that “no nuclear war delivery system will be allowed to be based in Vermont.”

Passage of such a resolution would be a big deal but it’s a long shot. According to the Director of CANBVT, James Ehlers, the problem is not so much the bombers but Senator Pat Leahy. Leahy made the initial invite to the Air Force and, through his power of seniority, swept the rest of our Congressional delegation (including Bernie Sanders) and our mayor Miro Weinberger, along with him. He is an ardent supporter not only of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but of an alternate engine for it. He argues that “taxpayers stand to save more money over the life of the F-35 program by maintaining competitive alternatives.” As an expert in corralling pork for our state, he continues: “Most importantly, we will purchase a better and more reliable product for the people who risk their lives to defend our country.” Where are many of the parts of an F35 bomber built? At General Electric in Rutland, VT, and Collins Aerospace in Vergennes, VT.

For these reasons, state reps do not want to buck the democratic machine. But our job now is to tell them it is time to do just that.

The Quakers are considering civil disobedience. A statewide meeting has been called for April 12. Meanwhile, in early March Lockheed Martin advertised for an F-35 Field Logistics Support Representative in Burlington, VT. Both sides are revving up. But this is nothing compared to the sounds we will hear when the F35 hits out airspace next September!

For more information go to https://www.canbvt.org/ and https://saveourskiesvt.org/ Or call Robin at 802-355-3256.The resolution in the State House rejecting the basing of any part of a new nuclear weapons system in Vermont is our opportunity to oppose Trump’s new nuclear arms race.
 

Inset Photo: Ben Cohen of Ben and Jerry’s speaks at an anti F-35 rally in Burlington, VT, on Jan. 19, 2018. The rally was held to announce we had enough signatures to place a question on Burlington's March ballot which asked, in part, to cancel the planned basing of the jets. The ballot item won with 55% of the vote but it was ignored by the mayor. Photo by Robin Lloyd.