Proposed Action
The Navy is proposing the transition of seven existing FA-18E/F squadrons at one of the Navy’s master jet bases (Naval Air Station [NAS] Lemoore, California or NAS Oceana, Virginia) to F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) squadrons by home basing 70 new F-35C aircraft (10 aircraft per squadron) over an approximate 10-year period. The Proposed Action also involves personnel changes and expanding, modifying, or constructing new facilities and establishing or increasing existing support functions at one or both Navy master jet bases; the scope of this work depends on the selected alternative. Facility development needed to support the 70 new F-35C aircraft may begin as early as 2028.
The purpose of the Proposed Action is to enhance strike fighter capabilities at the Navy’s master jet bases. The need for the Proposed Action is to enhance the Navy’s ability to satisfy its national defense requirements under section 8062 of title 10 United States Code by replacing the aging FA-18E/F fleet with state-of-the-art F-35C strike fighter aircraft.
Additional project information pertaining to the Proposed Action can be found in the Fact Sheet.
Evaluating Alternatives
The Navy is seeking public input to assist in the development of alternatives. Preliminarily, the Navy is considering two action alternatives that meet the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action :
- Alternative 1 - Transition Seven FA-18E/F Squadrons to F-35C Squadrons at NAS Lemoore
- Alternative 2 - Transition Seven FA-18E/F Squadrons to F-35C Squadrons at NAS Oceana
The Navy also appreciates input on additional alternatives, impacts and on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the Proposed Action. Comments received during the public scoping period will be considered in the development of the EIS. The 30-day public scoping period runs from December 5, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
The Navy will present the findings in the Draft EIS, anticipated to be available for public review in Fall 2026.