WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The final environmental evaluation was released on the impact of replacing the aging F-15C and D-model aircraft used by the Air Force at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield. The 104th Fighter Wing, located at Barnes Air National Guard Base was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense to receive 18 new F-35A fighter jets in 2026 however, a proposal by the National Guard Bureau (NGB) will replace the aircraft with either the F-15EX or F-35A aircraft. F-15C from Barnes ANGB in Westfield to be displayed at New England Air Museum The Department of the Air Force and the NGB analyzed the potential environmental consequences of receiving the new aircraft at three fighter wings across the U.S. The 104th Fighter Wing at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts (F-15EX or F-35A) The 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in California (F-15EX only) The 159th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Louisiana (F-15EX or F-35A) The three fighter wings will receive only one type of new-generation aircraft, the F-15EX or F-35A. The F-35A are scheduled to be delivered in 2026 while the F-15EX aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2028. A Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released to the public that analyzes the potential consequences to the quality of the human environment and important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage that may result from the implementation. Studies were also conducted for noise and project areas in Westfield. The 104th Fighter Wing is expecting to receive the F-35A Lightning II squadron, in a news release from public affairs in 2023. However, the decision of which aircraft the 104th Fighter Wing will receive has not yet been approved. The decision will be published after a "30-day waiting period following the publication of the Final EIS which was on November 15th." Ultimately, the decision should be on Sunday, December 15. FILE — In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron, departs from a KC-10 Extender aircraft after receiving fuel over Poland, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. F-35A Noise Summary: There would be 1,288 more acres off the airport property, 267 additional households, and 779 additional people that would be exposed to 65 dB DNL or greater. Four additional POIs would be exposed to 65 dB DNL. Thirty-one POIs would increase 1–7 dB DNL. Under FAA standards, 6 POIs would experience significant increases while 429 households and 1,212 people would be affected. Three POIs, 885 households, and 2,406 people would experience a reportable increase in noise according to FAA criteria. Noise impacts in the vicinity of the airfield would be significant. Noise associated with the construction projects would be temporary and not significant. Fighter jet-generated noise would continue to dominate sound levels in the training airspace. Ldnmr and DNL would increase by up to 7 dB but remain in the 35–47 dB range, which is well below the 65 dB threshold considered for noise sensitive land uses and would not be significantwithin the SUA. Airspace Summary: Impacts would be as described for the F-15EX and would not be significant. F-15EX Noise Summary: There would be 845 more acres off the airport property, 197 additional households, and 547 additional people that would be exposed to 65 dB DNL or greater. Six additional POIs would be exposed to 65 dB DNL. Thirty-five POIs would experience increases between 1 and 5 dB DNL. Under FAA standards, 10 POIs would experience significant increases while 304 households and 852 people would be affected. Five POIs, 621 households, and 1,811 people would experience a reportable increase in noise according to FAA criteria. Noise impacts in the vicinity of the airfield would be significant. Noise associated with the construction projects would be temporary and not significant. Fighter jet-generated noise would continue to dominate sound levels in the training airspace. Ldnmr and DNL would increase by up to 5 dB but remain in the 35–45 dB range, which is well below the 65 dB threshold considered for noise sensitive land uses and would not be significant within the SUA. Airspace Summary: The replacement of the F-15C with the F-15EX would utilize local airspace. Over time, the replacement of the F-15C aircraft at the installation could result in a 6.7 percent increase in total airfield operations at BAF. This increase in airfield operations would have a minimal effect onthe local air traffic environment. Close coordination of scheduling and use of SUA would ensure safe air operations within the controlled airspace and SUA. Impacts would not be significant. To read more on the resources and alternative impacts, visit angf15ex-f35a-eis.com. Local News Headlines Deadline: REAL ID enforcement goes into effect in six months Coffee & Conversation event connects veterans in Chicopee Police seized 16 kilograms of fentanyl, Lawrence woman sentenced Final environmental study released on replacing aging F-15 aircraft at Barnes ANGB in Westfield WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.