February 12, 2013, Fairbanks, Alaska – In an effort to support the U.S. military’s increased strategic focus on Asia and simultaneously, to save taxpayer funds through consolidation, Governor Sean Parnell urged the U.S. Air Force to expand the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposal to relocate the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base (EAFB) to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) to include an additional study alternative.

The governor suggests retaining the 18th Aggressor Squadron at EAFB, and relocating the 24 F-16 aircraft and associated personnel of the 480th Fighter Squadron from Spangdalehm Air Force Base in Germany to become part of the 354th Fighter Wing at EAFB.

In a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley, Governor Parnell wrote, “We appreciate that austerity measures are required in the current fiscal climate. In this regard, we are confident that the addition of the proposed alternative to USAF’s EIS, which examines relocation of the 480th Fighter Squadron to EAFB as a complement to the 18th Aggressor Squadron, is consistent with NEPA, as well as with the Department’s fiscal and operational objectives for the USAF.”

A copy of the governor’s letter is available at:
https://www.gov.alaska.gov/parnell_media/resources_files/02112013eielsonletter.pdf