COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina officials say they're disappointed the state wasn't chosen as a base for the Air Force's next-generation F-35 fighter jet, but expect to remain in the running for the next round of bases chosen.
In Washington, the Air Force announced Thursday that bases in Arizona, Florida, Utah and Vermont will host the pricey new Joint Strike Fighter.
Gov. Mark Sanford's spokesman Ben Fox said the governor was disappointed, but that the announcement is not the last chapter in the years-long decision-making process.
The aircraft is due to arrive at some bases in 2014 or 2015.
South Carolina Adjutant General Stan Spears said that while he would have preferred to be on the initial list, he's confident F-35s will fly out of McEntire Joint National Guard Base in the coming years.
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