Opponents of the possible arrival of F-35 jet hunters to Eelde have once again emphasized their resistance to the cabinet plans with State Secretary Gijs Tuinman (BBB) of Defense. Northern drivers handed him a so-called ‘no-go F-35 support package’ yesterday.
That package has been compiled by the committee F-35 No on Eelde. 52 residents and nature organizations have united. In addition to a letter from the committee, the package also contains a list of about one hundred hearts of hearts of people who came to an information evening earlier this week.
On Tuesday evening, more than three hundred people arrived at that meeting in Paterswolde. The information evening could count on so much interest that the organization had to send people home because there was no room anymore. Interested parties were able to watch at home via a live stream.
Among other things, the opponents point to possible health damage due to the noise of fighter jets. They also fear a “serious disruption of daily life” and are afraid that nature will suffer. Moreover, the critics state that the northern economy will get a slap.
Defense wants to fly more in the Netherlands with fighter jets. In total it concerns 2,300 extra flight movements per year. Due to the increased unrest in the world, the need to do that above the Netherlands is greater. But at the moment there is not enough practice room for fighter jets in the Netherlands. The Ministry of Defense therefore investigates where there is room. Eelde is one of the four options. At the end of May, the Ministry of Defense makes the decision. The cabinet then takes a final decision.