Air National Guard plans night flights Jan. 4-8

January 3, 2022 | By Waterbury Roundabout 

SOUTH BURLINGTON – The Vermont Air National Guard announced that it would conduct night operations of its F-35 fighter jets this week starting Tuesday, Jan. 4, through Saturday, Jan. 8. Nighttime takeoffs are scheduled between 4 and 6 p.m. with landings happening between 6 and 8 p.m.

The 158th Fighter Wing will continue its usual afternoon F-35 training missions, with takeoffs and landings scheduled between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. There were no scheduled morning flights.

Airmen of the 158th Fighter Wing conduct night operations to meet U.S. Air Force and Major Command requirements and proficiencies, the announcement stated.  "An important part of our ability to complete both our state and federal missions is the ability to work in all conditions with the expertise that our nation expects and deserves,” said Col. Daniel Finnegan, 158th Fighter Wing vice commander. “In order to do that, we must occasionally train at night to ensure our airmen can provide that service safely and effectively.”

National Guard training flights regularly put F-35 aircraft overhead across Washington County including airspace above Waterbury and Duxbury.