DANIEL CARSON / News Herald Writer

It was the news that area officials were hoping for: A new mission — and jobs — are headed to Tyndall Air Force Base.

Tyndall’s future will include the addition of a new F-22 Raptor squadron, officials announced Thursday, with the base receiving 21 new fighter jets as part of the Air Force’s consolidation of its F-22 fleet.

Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, said the Air Force’s decision to add an operational squadron to the base’s exist-ing F-22 combat training mission would result in the addition of almost 600 personnel at the base and stemmed from government and area civic leaders’ continued efforts to secure Tyndall a follow-on mission.

Thursday’s announcement comes months after Tyndall started the drawdown of its two F-15 squadrons, as part of an Air Force-wide restructuring plan. (more…)