Five Different Aircraft Types Are Being Shuffled
Air Force officials released several announcements regarding
five different aircraft late last week.
Michael Donley, the Secretary of the Air Force and Gen. Norton
Schwartz, the chief of staff of the Air Force, approved C-27J
operations and training candidate bases and announced the
transition of Holloman Air Force Base, NM, to the F-16 Fighting
Falcon training mission. Air Force officials also announced the
preferred alternatives for operational and training F-35 Lightning
bases, announced Beale Air Force Base, CA, as the preferred
alternative basing option for the MC-12 Liberty and determined the
most effective basing for the F-22 Raptor.
F-16 File Photo
Training candidates for the C-27J Spartan are Key Field Air
Guard Station, MS, and Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, OH.
Operations candidates are Boise Air Terminal AGS, ID, and Great
Falls International Airport, MT.
C-27J File Photo
Air Force officials will conduct site surveys at the candidate
locations and initiate the environmental impact analysis process in
preparation for a final selection. They have determined that
Holloman AFB has the capacity to accept two F-16 training squadrons
and offers the ability to synergize training activities with MQ-1
Predator and MQ-9 Reaper training occurring on the same base.
Transitioning Holloman AFB to F-16 training stabilizes an enduring
training mission and capitalizes on the existing airspace and range
complex.
Implementation of this action is subject to completion of
appropriate environmental analysis.
Teams surveyed candidate bases for F-35 operational and training
bases for feasibility, timing, cost and planning purposes to meet
initial operational capability timelines and the preferred
alternative locations for operations are Hill AFB, UT, and
Burlington Air Guard Station, VT. The preferred alternative
location for training is Luke AFB, AZ.
F-35 File Photo
"This is not a final basing decision," said Kathleen Ferguson,
the deputy assistant secretary for installations. "The preferred
alternatives with other reasonable alternatives will continue to be
evaluated in the Environmental Impact Analysis Process."
Secretary Donley previously announced five operations candidate
bases Oct. 29, 2009. They included Hill AFB; Mountain Home AFB, ID;
Shaw AFB/McEntire Joint National Guard Base, SC; Burlington Air
Guard Station, VT; and Jacksonville AGS, FL. The secretary also
announced training base candidates Oct. 29, 2009. They included
Boise AGS, ID; Eglin AFB, FL; Holloman AFB, NM; Luke AFB, AZ; and
Tucson AGS, AZ. The current scope of this basing action includes
250 to 300 F-35 aircraft.
Beale AFB, CA, was announced as the preferred alternative basing
option for the MC-12. Secretary Donley previously approved six
candidate bases, including Altus AFB, OK.; Beale AFB, CA; Key Field
Air National Guard Base, MS.; Langley AFB, VA; Robins AFB, GA; and
Whiteman AFB, MO.
MC-12 In Afghanistan
"Beale (AFB) is the preferred alternative for basing the MC-12W
aircraft, given its access to training opportunities, synergy with
existing intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance flying
missions, and collocation with the Distributed Ground Station
mission," Ms. Ferguson said.
Secretary Donley and General Schwartz determined the most
effective basing for the F-22. This requires redistributing
aircraft from one F-22 squadron to units at four F-22 bases. A
second squadron will be relocated to an existing F-22 base.
F-22 File Photo
The affected bases are Holloman AFB, NM, where one squadron will
be deactivated. That squadron's F-22s will be redistributed to
other F-22 units. The remaining squadron will relocate to Tyndall
AFB, FL. Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, will receive six additional
aircraft; Langley AFB, VA, will receive six additional aircraft;
and Nellis AFB, NV, will receive two additional aircraft.
"This plan maximizes combat aircraft and squadrons available for
contingencies," Ms. Ferguson said. "By consolidating aircraft at
existing bases, F-22 operational flexibility is enhanced."