Pilots would get 29 percent more elbow room and the base’s airspace would edge farther into Oregon and Nevada. If approved by federal officials, the expansion could pave the way for state-of-the-art aircraft like the F-35 at the base. More importantly, according to 366th Fighter Wing commander Col. John Bird, the expansion would double the effectiveness of the airspace and the training offered in Idaho. “We are starting to get customers,” Bird said. “It’s the perfect practice ground.” An expansion would make Mountain Home comparable to Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base, Bird said.