Here’s a rewritten news article based on the provided source, optimized for evergreen content and adhering to the given instructions.MADISON, Wis. – Residents of Wisconsin are expressing increasing frustration with the noise generated by F-35 fighter jets, prompting a local congressman to intervene.
Rep. Mark Pocan has once again raised concerns about the noise levels, urging Pentagon officials to personally experience the impact of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters on the community.
Pocan recently sent a letter to the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation,a Department of Defense agency focused on facilitating collaboration between military bases and local communities. This action follows the agency’s denial of funding for noise mitigation efforts for Madison residents affected by the aircraft’s engines.
Truax Field air National Guard base, which houses the 115th Fighter Wing and its F-35A jets, is located in Madison.
The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has previously supported noise-reduction initiatives, including allocating $50 million in 2021 to Madison residents for home modifications aimed at reducing noise intrusion and improving their quality of life, according to Pocan’s letter.
however, a subsequent request for $18 million to assist additional residents was rejected. Pocan stated that this funding would have enabled improved insulation in over 160 homes, along with the installation of new windows and HVAC systems.
A 2012 study by the vermont Health Department revealed that F-35 jets can reach noise levels of 115 decibels, comparable to a rock concert. This is louder than the F-16s previously operated by the 115th Fighter Wing.
“As the decision to place F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field in 2020, my office has repeatedly been in touch with the Department of Defense to express my concerns about what impact the noise from these jets could have on local residents, their homes, and local businesses,” Pocan said.
“In the years as, residents have reported consistent and significant concerns with the noise levels to my office, along with fears that prolonged exposure could lead to property damage or negative health impacts,” the letter said.
The congressman has requested that an official from the Office of Local Defense Community cooperation visit Madison to explain the rejection to the community directly.
The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding its planned response to Pocan’s letter.
Concerns about noise from F-35s are not limited to wisconsin. Residents in other states, including Utah, Arizona, and Vermont, have also reported disturbances and negative health effects, such as panic attacks, related to the aircraft’s noise.
