Why Southern California and America Need the F-35 Lightening II Fighter

By Zein E. Obagi

First, the F-35 is the most versatile and most affordable stealth aircraft ever built. Affordability is achieved through a high degree of aircraft commonality. With three variants + conventional takeoff/landing (CTOL), carrier variant (CV) and short takeoff/vertical landing (VTOL) + the Lightening II will serve the U.S Air Force, Navy, and Marines, spreading costs across all three branches. Second, producing the F-35s generates 25,000 jobs here in California because many of its parts, including its center fuselage, are manufactured by 298 companies that are based here. One out of every three dollars spent on the F-35 comes to California. We simply cannot afford to lose more California manufacturing jobs than we already have. Preserving our air advantage would stimulate our local economy in Southern California and the South Bay through 2026, and possibly beyond. The Lightening will stay in service at least until 2050, or longer, delivering a long operational life.

Finally, we have invested heavily in these fighters. Failing to fully fund our purchase, would make our decisions up until now wasteful. The Lightening is ready for production, and we're ready to lead our nation's defense systems here in California. It is our calling in technology and manufacturing.