Anchorage Daily News

Sleek, high-tech Raptors landed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in early August, ushering in a cultural change in military operations and an economic boon for Alaska's largest city.

Responsible for spending millions of dollars in the local community, the military represents a direct payroll of $506 million to uniformed personnel and $112 million for civilian employees who support the military, according to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.

As Elmendorf transitions over to the modern, technologically advanced Raptor F-22 jet, the city of Anchorage needs to prepare for the surge of support that will go with it.

While the Air Force is responsible for a portion of the military's economic impact on Anchorage, the addition of the Raptor squadron has a two-pronged advantage: Both military and civilians will be employed to support the squadron.

That means more local jobs, Air Force officials said.

"While the actual number of active military will drop -- the F-22 requires less ground support ... the total number of people involved in activities on the base will increase," said Col. Thomas Tinsley, commander of Elmendorf's 3rd Wing.

Air Guard and reservists will be added to the mix at Elmendorf, a traditionally active-duty station.

"This is really exciting," Tinsley said. "I am getting calls every day from reservists wanting to move here to fly the F-22. This is the first time in Alaska that we will have active, Guard, Reserve and civilians working side by side."

When the reservists' 477 Fighter Group is fully staffed, it will include about 425 reserve technicians and traditional reservists to support the 3rd Wing's daily operations.

Some 360 new positions will be added to the current 477, said Col. Eric Overturf, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group.

"Some will be part time, but still those are jobs," he said.

The single-pilot jet has a top speed of Mach 2 and can carry two 1,000-pound bombs, two infrared missiles and six guided missiles, among other weapons.

Overturf said that the added pilots and newer, more efficient aircraft will cost less to the taxpayer in the long run.

Seasoned pilots will be the initial Raptor fliers, but later the wing will train and add new pilots, Overturf said.

Tinsley pointed out that once a reservist moves here to fly, he brings his family and in many cases his flying friends too.

"The addition will mean that there will be more airmen living long term among the community," Tinsley said.

The unit is immediately seeking local residents, radio announcers and virtually anyone who wants to become a reservist.

The joined missions also add a logistical advantage to the groups.

Logistically, the base is better able to provide humanitarian aid to Asian countries or launch flights to support war efforts.