Alaska’s Congressional delegation is largely unconcerned about President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of the $400 billion dollar F-35 fighter jet program.
The F-35 program and cost is out of control. Billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases after January 20th.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2016
Senator Lisa Murkowski and Representative Don Young issued statements expressing confidence Trump will see the value of the F-35 program after Inauguration Day.
A statement from Senator Dan Sullivan emphasized the tactical benefits of the F-35s. Though he added Trump raises legitimate concerns over costs and delays.
By 2022, Eielson Air Force Base is slated to host 54 F-35s, bringing an additional 25 hundred personnel and up to $500 million in new construction.
It’s not clear what prompted Trump to tweet about the F-35 on Monday. However, that morning several national news outlets reported President Obama’s defense secretary was in Israel for a ceremony to mark the delivery of that country’s first F-35s.
