The Site Activation Task Force report (PDF), released Thursday by the Pacific Air Forces, projects $14.6 million in savings over the next five fiscal years associated with moving more than 500 positions supporting the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, following initial costs of $5.6 million in fiscal year 2013.
The Air Force says an additional $227 million in savings would be realized from actions taken in fiscal year 2015 to reduce base operating support services at Eielson following the move.
“518 Aggressor-coded positions, with an additional 105 non-Aggressor-coded positions (total of 623) were identified as supporting the F-16 relocation,” Air Force officials wrote. “A total of 542 positions, along with related aircraft and support equipment, will transfer to JBER by the end of (fiscal year 2013).”
Air Force officials have suggested moving the aggressor squadron, which simulates enemy fighters during Red Flag training exercises in Alaska, as a source of savings through consolidating redundant positions between Eielson and JBER. Fairbanks locals have been fighting the move, as chronicled in “Mission Critical,” Channel 2’s May 3 edition of “The 49th Report.”
The report also outlines the proposed demolition of structures at Eielson, which will no longer be necessary to house the F-16s when they leave.
“Consolidation of the remaining functions (at Eielson) is being considered as a way to further reduce energy and sustainment costs,” Air Force officials wrote. “F-16 functions transferring to JBER affect facilities by vacating and making facilities available for repurpose, consolidation or demolition. Most of the facilities considered as excess capacity through the relocation of the Aggressors are located on Eielson’s taxiway loop.”
Air Force estimates place Eielson’s population after the squadron’s departure below 1,000 airmen, requiring it to downgrade from a wing-level facility to one housing a group. Officials suggest that the resulting group could report to any of three other major Air Force commands in Alaska: the 3rd Wing at JBER, the 673rd Air Base Wing that serves as JBER’s host unit, or the 11th Air Force which oversees Air National Guard units in the state.
Sen. Mark Begich blasted the report in a statement Thursday afternoon, citing initial costs as evidence that the F-16 move has not been properly budgeted for by the Air Force.
“The Air Force has also acknowledged there could be additional costs beyond Fiscal Year 2013 associated with the relocation not contained in the report," Begich said. "And while some information was collected about the down-sizing of Eielson in future years, none of those projected cost savings outlined in the report have actually been validated."
Begich also notes that costs the Air Force and airmen might face in selling Fairbanks housing had not been accounted for in the plan. He says he doesn't plan to remove his hold on the promotion of Air Force Lt. Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle -- which he previously placed when the Air Force didn't provide detailed information about the proposed move.
"The bottom line is we have yet to see a comprehensive five-year analysis detailing the total budgetary ramifications of the relocation and long-term plan for Eielson," Begich said. "The Air Force needs to be straight with Congress. We cannot make major decisions impacting the budget, military operations, and our military families based on incomplete data and inconsistent information.”
Rep. Don Young also approached the report with skepticism, praising the Air Force for engaging local leaders in Fairbanks but questioning the openness of its data on the move.
“Today, after seeing the first real data behind this move, I believe there are still many important questions that remain unanswered," Young said. "Before finalizing this move, the Air Force must prove to me and to all Alaskans that this move will not require additional and expensive construction, will not adversely affect U.S. national security or readiness, and will not leave Alaskan airmen literally out in the cold as they try to find housing in a saturated Anchorage housing market."
Editor's note: A breakdown of costs and savings associated with the F-16 move has been corrected after clarifications from the Air Force.
This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.
