Navy and Lemoore residents meet about NAS future

LEMOORE, Calif. -- People in Lemoore gathered to discuss the future of the south valley's naval air station, which could include the arrival of a new kind of fighter jet.

At a community meeting Thursday night, Navy officials listened to what Lemoore residents thought about possibly bringing the high-tech F35 fighter jets to the air base. The stealth fighters would replace the FA18's, which are currently being used at Lemoore. The navy is choosing between the valley and a base in El Centro to locate the planes.

If Lemoore is not selected, officials estimate a large segment of people living on the base would be forced to relocate.

"35% of the population would leave. House values are already dropping. What happens if that happens? They'd drop even more," said Irvin Gruntorad of Lemoore.

Comments from the meeting will be included in the environmental impact statement on the project. A decision won't be made until that report is completed -- likely sometime next year.

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