Air Force Magazine reports that "Flight testing of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and the Navy’s Patuxent River, Md., facility has been halted until further notice, due to the health and safety issues and the challenge of getting to work under California’s lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic."

A halt to flights during the pandemic is even more essential here in Vermont because political and military leaders decided to base the F-35 in one city, South Burlington, amidst 2 other cities, Winooski and Burlington, and 2 towns, Williston and Colchester.

Let's keep the pressure on the Governor to halt the F-35 flights here during the pandemic! He has full authority over each and every decision regarding the training of the Vermont National Guard. It is clearly and unambiguously laid out in the militia clauses in art. 1 sect. 8 of the US Constitution and in the commander-in-chief clause in the Vermont Constitution.

However, certain Vermont political and military leaders issued letters asserting that the F-35 is for a federal mission. Which is true. Cleverly omitted from their statements was the fact that all decisions about Vermont National Guard training in Vermont are reserved for Vermont's governor to decide. Including F-35 training. The governor has not one drop less authority to decide about Guard training with the F-35 because there is a federal purpose. He can use that authority to halt the F-35 training flights during the pandemic or any other time.

So let's keep building the campaign to Mobilize the Guard to fight the coronavirus & stop F-35 flights. Just as the Air Force and Navy prudently decided to halt their F-35 flights in California and Maryland.

Thank you and keep safe.

James Marc Leas