The announced arrival of the new F-35 fighter plane in Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland caused a stir: tried too noisy, the American plane worries part of the inhabitants of the Hasli valley. Between the economic benefits of the air base and fears for health, the whole region is looking for its way.
“No F-35 in Meiringen!” Registered on a yellow background, this slogan is visible from the cockpit of the pilots when they are in final approach on track 10 of the military aerodrome. He reflects the growing concern of part of the population in the face of the scheduled arrival of the American combat aircraft. All in the Hasli conceded valley, posters of the genre have flowered at the initiative of the IGF association, which militates against the noise of planes.
“We feel the vibration in the body”
300 meters from the track, from which a F/A-18 takes off, a group of members of the association was brought together that day at the foot of the acoustic measurement station funded by them. “We feel the vibration in the body, really very good. It is frightening,” says Peter Michel, president of the IGF and native of the valley. He wonders: “In the United States, they have measured about ten, twelve or fifteen more decibels. Not here. The Swiss army says that these are three decibels. So we will see what is true”.
It is the individual event that counts and not the average. The human body cannot be divided by eight hours or 365 days. Each unique element, each takeoff is decisive
Another activist, returned from a trip to Norway, adds: “We saw F-35 take off. It scared us a little. And it was without postcombustion! So here, with cliffs of 1000 or 1200 meters, it may resonate much stronger”.
Currently in Meiringen, due to the relatively short track and the surrounding mountains, 80% of the takeoff of fighting aircraft is thanks to post-combustion, i.e. fuel injection at the reactor output for greater power. This procedure is much noisier than a “standard” takeoff. For this reason, the IGF association does not want F-35 in Meiringen. She believes that he should be parked at airports allowing takeoff without post-combustion as in Payerne.
It is the individual event that counts and not the average. Each takeoff is decisive
The farm in which Maya Michel spent his childhood is around the track. But there remains only one shower to wash after taking care of your cows. Leaving the din of the neighboring track, she moved to Brienz, looking for tranquility. She describes herself as a noise refugee.
At home, a computer records sound levels in real time. Even if takeoffs will be reduced by half, it will not be enough, she said. “It is the individual event that counts and not the average. The human body cannot be divided by eight hours or 365 days. Each unique element, each takeoff is decisive,” she insists.
Central for the local economy
On the other side of the track, in the buildings of the air base, the tone is quite different. Ulrich Kohler, nicknamed “Jelly” and president of the Pro Flugplatz association, which, according to him, has 1600 members, 80% of whom come from the valley, defends the air base. “With the F-35, takeoffs will be reduced by 50%. It will be more pleasant to live here for local residents and for the whole valley,” says the one who is also a military policeman.
He underlines the central role of the aerodrome for the local economy: more than 200 employees, 30 apprentices, and up to 1,000 soldiers during periods of rehearsal. “In three weeks, it represents a million francs of added value. The local butcher made 70,000 francs in figures. Other regions have no more butcher, here we have two.”
We are presented with noise models based on measures made to Payerne. But here, the topography is completely different
But the army which planned to park its F-35 in Meiringen in 2030 will still have to convince local authorities. Discussions are currently taking place with the Department of Defense. Anyway, Daniel Studer, president of Meiringen, the main commune of the Valley, expresses his doubts. The perimeter affected by the noise will widen with the F-35. But he said it lacks data on the real noise of the new device of the Swiss air forces.
“In the current state, we are presented with noise models based on measures made to Payerne. But here, the topography is completely different,” he deplores. According to him, many questions remain open: “Will the F-35 be only a little stronger, that we hardly notice it, as the DDPS provides? Or is it much noisier, which will massively change the current situation?”, He wonders.
Additional measures requested
The Defense Department ensures that its calculation model is transposable from Payerne to Meiringen. But for local authorities, confidence is broken, it must be restored.
“The municipalities of the region all agree. It would be a very important action on the part of the DDPS if an F-35 came to Meiringen for a few days to land and take off. As one can establish additional measures. It is a question of transparency and confidence,” proposes Daniel Studer.
The Department of Defense says it is studying this request, while highlighting the logistical constraints that such an operation would imply.
Municipalities want guarantees
The president of Meiringen explains: “Military aviation is a long history in the region. In the past, there are promises that have not been held and that has an influence on the distrust that we observe. Today, a new plane arrives and we should have confidence? It is not so simple in terms of the past. It is therefore necessary today to create confidence,” he said.
For example, the military sectoral plan has never been updated since 2001 for the Meiringen base. Either before installing an F/A-18 squadron and the significant increase in nuisance. According to the DDPS, the sheet is being updated for the F-35. It should be published and consultation in the second half of 2025.
The municipalities want to keep a military aerodrome in the haslital. But they also want guarantees as to the quality of life and the noise level when the F-35 will arrive in 2030.
Stéeaane Deledy/fung
