JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The Air Force is accepting public comments electronically via an email account to include in its Environmental Impact Statement analysis of the proposed move of the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
People can email comments to afcec.pa@us.af.mil. Please include "F-16 Relocation EIS Comment" in the subject line. Comments must include a name, address and organizational affiliation, if applicable, to be considered.
An Air Force team conducted public scoping meetings Feb. 4-7 in Alaska to explain the proposal to relocate the F-16 Fighting Falcon unit. As part of the scoping process, the public is encouraged to provide comments on a variety of environmental impacts being considered in the analysis.
Comments received by March 1 will be considered in the draft EIS expected to be released for public review later this spring.
The Air Force is assessing the relocation proposal to reduce defense spending and support congressionally mandated deficit reductions, as outlined in the Budget Control Act, and as part of its priority to prepare for future challenges and protect the broad range of U.S. national security interests.
The 18th Aggressor Squadron consists of 18 assigned F-16 aircraft and thee back-up F-16s. This proposed relocation includes removing 623 military personnel from EAFB, transferring approximately 542 positions to JBER and eliminating 81 positions in Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14). The Air Force proposes an additional reduction of approximately 749 military authorizations and approximately 179 civilian authorizations in FY15 at EAFB appropriate to the command structure required for the remaining operations. Current planning estimates call for an end-state of approximately 769 appropriated funds personnel at EAFB after FY16 (559 military and 210 civilian personnel).
The Air Force will accept comments at any time during the environmental process. However, to ensure the Air Force has sufficient time to consider public input in the preparation of the draft EIS, people should either send an email toafcec.pa@us.af.mil or submit written comments by March 1, 2013, to:
AFCEC/CZN
Attn: Mr. Allen Richmond
2261 Hughes Ave, Ste. 155
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236-9853
Telephone: (210) 395-8555
People can get more information about the proposed relocation by visiting the Air Force Civil Engineer Center website at www.afcec.af.mil/f-16_eielson_eis/. The site also includes a form for people who want to mail their comments.
Air Force press release