Beaufort, SC is many things.
We may be, pound-for-pound, the most historic little town on the East Coast. We are a charming resort town, with miles of beachfront. We are a river town, with countless miles of shoreline, and the Intracoastal Waterway cutting right through the heart of the downtown area. Beaufort may well be the friendliest town in America.
But, as much as any of these things, Beaufort is a military town. We are home to three military installations, including the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, which is - appropriately enough, one of the most historic installations in the country.
Yes, we are a military town, so what you hear roaring through the skies of Beaufort is not jet noise, it is the sound of freedom. Which is why you might be interested in attending a public hearing Tuesday regarding the proposed addition of Joint Strike Fighter squadrons to MCAS Beaufort.
From 4 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Boundary Street, Navy and Marine officials will be on hand to gather public comment about bringing two pilot-training squadrons and three active-duty squadrons to MCAS Beaufort.
"There is no better time for residents to come out and ask whatever questions they might have about the Joint Strike Fighter," said Gunnery Sgt. Chad McMeen, as reported in the Beaufort Gazette. McMeen is the spokesperson for the air station.
Officials from Lockheed Martin, which will build the Joint Strike Fighter, will bring a cockpit simulator to the event. That might be interesting.
In addition to providing a much-needed bump to the housing industry and local economy, the proposed arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter will bring more than 4000 temporary jobs to MCAS Beaufort, as work would begin on the more than $350 million in infrastructure improvements that would be required at the base.
The Joint Strike Fighter squadrons will also mean increase takeoffs and landings, which could stir some controversy.
To read more, visit http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/06/20/1280822/comment-sought-on-f-35s-future.html#ixzz0rWMhY4ZS
So, on Tuesday, whether you love the Sound of Freedom or not, you'll have a chance to be heard.
Comments(1)