MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) – An Air National Guard base in Madison could be home to new fighter jets.

The U.S. Air Force is looking to store jets at two of five possible locations across the country, including Truax Field in Wisconsin.

The F-35s would replace Truax's aging F-16s.

In 2017, the Air Force picked Truax Field in Madison and Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Alabama as possible places to house fighter jets. Boise Airport in Idaho, Jacksonville International Airport in Florida and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan are also possible options.

Steve Klafka says the sky above his house on Elmside Boulevard on Madison's east side is already too noisy.

“It's not acceptable and I can't imagine what it's like for people that are a mile or closer,” Klafka said.

The environmental engineer has lived there for almost 25 years.

“The existing F-16 fighter jets are already too loud and disrupt our neighborhood,” Klafka said.

Klafka, like many of his neighbors, worries about the noise from F-35 fighter jets and what it could mean for property values.

“Here we've got the new fighter jets that are going to be four times louder and will fly 50 percent more often, and so it's a much greater impact would occur with these new jets,” Klafka said.

Some lawmakers don't think residents will notice a difference.

State Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) understands the concerns but says the F-35s would be under the allowable decibel levels.

“I was a safety officer in the military,” Kurtz said. “I used to give classes on hearing conservation. These [concerns] are being overblown. My personal opinion is that this is going to be no different than what the F-16 does currently.”

Klafka has his own personal opinion.

“The 65-decibel standard they're using to evaluate the jets is over 50 years old, and it probably covers people within a mile of the airport,” Klafka said. “I'm at two miles and when the jets are flying over there's no way you can avoid it. They're going to wake you up or interrupt your conversations or shake your windows.”

A draft environmental impact study found more than 1,000 homes could be unlivable due to noise from F-35s.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Rep. Kurtz wrote a non-binding bipartisan resolution supporting F-35s at Truax and say it would give the base a new mission that could help keep it open.

“It's not about what's going on up in the sky when it comes to the F-35, it's about what's going on on the ground, and it is let's maintain Truax,” Fitzgerald said. “Let's maintain the buildings, the units, the civilian personnel, everyone that's involved in Truax right now, and the way to do that is by making sure the F-35s are housed at Truax Field in Wisconsin.”

“They don't need these jets here at Truax Field to keep the base going,” Klafka said. “There [are] many other alternatives to keep the base operating without bringing these jets here. They should find another location because any of the other locations evaluated in the EIS would have a lower environmental impact.”

Klafka hopes the air force will think about other options as he considers his own.

“I think we'll have to have a few years to decide what we're going to do, see whether it's worth it to put up with the additional noise,” Klafka said.

The Air Force has extended the public comment period until November 1. A final decision is expected in early 2020.

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, Capt. Leslie A. Westmont with the Wisconsin Air National Guard, 115th Fighter Wing said:

“We value all input from our community, as well as its continued support of the 115th Fighter Wing, its Airmen, and our mission. We are appreciative of the support and recognition of our efforts and contributions from our State’s legislative leaders. The 115th Fighter Wing provides a dual mission to the protection of our nation, and to serve the citizens of Wisconsin through domestic support. Without the support of our elected leaders and community, our mission would not be successful. As the NEPA process continues, we look forward to the continued submission of public comments to the Air Force’s record of decision in early spring regarding the basing of the F-35, while we continue to serve our nation and the state of Wisconsin for decades to come.”

The non-binding resolution authored by Republicans was adopted by the Senate Tuesday and the Assembly is expected to vote on it Thursday.