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Fairbanks residents won't like to hear this, but the U.S. Air Force estimates it will save more than $200 million over five years bymoving an F-16 fighter squadron from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Initial savings would accrue by moving 542 positions with the 18thAggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint BaseElmendorf-Richardson (JBER). As part of the move, 81 positionswould be reduced. Additional savings would come in other areas,such as eliminating excess facility capacity, the report says. By fiscal year 2015, much more money will be saved by "eliminating749 military and 179 civilian manpower authorizations that theanalysis determined would no longer be needed at Eielson once theremaining infrastructure and support functions are adjusted afterthe Aggressor Squadron's relocation," according to a press releaseon the U.S. Air Force Web site . The Aggressor Squadron simulates enemy fighters during trainingexercises. The move is planned for next year. The Air Force web site said : "Eielson hosts the only wing in the active-duty Air Force thathas only a single operational squadron. In addition to expectedcost savings, this move would lead to more efficient operations bylocating the F-16 Aggressor aircraft with their primary customers,the F-22 Raptors at Elmendorf. The F-16 Aggressors will retain thecapability to operate from Eielson during exercises and asotherwise needed." Sen. Mark Begich slammed the report, saying in a press release it failed to providethe full picture. "The bottom line is we have yet to see a comprehensive five-yearanalysis detailing the total budgetary ramifications of therelocation and long-term plan for Eielson," Begich said. "The AirForce needs to be straight with Congress. We cannot make majordecisions impacting the budget, military operations, and ourmilitary families based on incomplete data and inconsistentinformation. Similarly, Rep. Don Young said he fears the numbers don't add up. "Before finalizing this move, Young said in a press release, the Air Force must prove to me and to all Alaskans that this movewill not require additional and expensive construction, will notadversely affect U.S. national security or readiness, and will notleave Alaskan airmen literally out in the cold as they try to findhousing in a saturated Anchorage housing market." Earlier this week, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley visitedEielson and JBER to talk about the proposed move. He emphasizedthat the "move does not close Eielson." Sen. Lisa Murkowski also said she was disappointed in the report -- and saw no way themove could happen on schedule. "In February, the Air Force didn't think any environmental reviewwas needed," she said in a press release. "Today, they acknowledgea review is needed, but it won't be completed before December 2012 . . and the Air Force acknowledges the entire plan is contingenton the environmental review. That, too, will cost more money. TheAir Force is trying to get this plan in the air but it is nowherenear ready for takeoff. "I had hoped that today would be a day for questions answered, buttoday's presentation left many unanswered while raising even more.The Air Force has more work to do." Murkowski said she's also concerned about how the proposed movewill affect the National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing atEielson. She said the wing may move from a 24-hour-a-day operationto 12 hours a day, five days a week. "Not necessarily bankers' hours, but certainly not the kind ofhours that are required for this pretty incredible, intensiverefueling wing out there at Eielson," Murkowski said Wednesday at aSenate Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Epoxy Resin Sticker , China Cell Phone Leather Cases for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Tablet Protective Film.
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