Wright-Patterson selected as primary F-35 logistics hub

Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The Air Force has selected Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as the preferred location for the F-35 Lightning II Hybrid Product Support Integrator program.

The HSPI supports all F-35 aircraft worldwide for the U.S. and foreign military partners and is considered "an integral part of maintaining and prolonging operations of the global F-35 fleet," the Air Force said this week.

Robin AFB in Georgia will remain a possible location depending on circumstances, officials said.

"Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has the trained acquisition professionals with the right fighter aircraft experience to run this organization for DOD's Joint Program Office," Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said in a statement.

"We expect this experience to help us drive down F-35 sustainment costs as we build a more lethal and ready Air Force."

The F-35 HPSI was established in 2016 in Crystal City, Va., at the F-35 Joint Program Office in order to provide program support for domestic and international aircraft

The new location at Wright-Patterson will include Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, industry members such as Lockheed Martin and international customers.

HPSI is meant to provide supply chain support, maintenance, engineering, logistics and training for the many acting and potential customers for the F-35.

The decision will officially be made following an environmental analysis to mitigate the impacts of noise, air pollution and other factors.

The F-35 Lightning II is a stealth fighter jet which is planned to become a standard aircraft with the U.S. military and many other countries. Over 340 have been delivered with thousands more expected in the future.