In 2020 the United States government approved the sale of the F-35B to Singapore and will take delivery of their first F-35B in 2026 (photo : LockheedMartin)
Air Force hosts meeting about proposed program at Fort Smith Ebbing Air National Guard Base
FORT SMITH -- The Air Force held the second of two online public scoping meetings Thursday to discuss the proposal to place a permanent Foreign Military Sales Pilot Training Center at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, as well as answer questions and hear feedback from the public.
Ebbing was selected last year as the Air Force's preferred location for a pilot training center for Singapore and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales program. The proposal would accommodate up to 24 foreign Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft and move 12 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Singapore air force, currently at the Luke Air Force Base at Glendale, Ariz.
Residents largely spoke in support of the mission, with questions regarding how they can welcome Singaporeans, when contractors can bid on construction projects and when aircraft will start arriving.
RSAF F-16C/D in Luke to relocate to Fort Smith in June 2023 (photo : MAphotoSG)
Three people raised concerns regarding potential noise levels the program would bring and whether it would affect surrounding residents. Air Force officials said no noise studies have been done because it's too early in the process.
Patrick Jeanes of the Air Force's Air Education and Training Command said the move would require increases in personnel, changes in aircraft numbers and operations, and construction or renovation to support the F-16 and F-35 aircraft, as well as a two F-35 flight simulator facilities. He said Ebbing could expect 384 military and civilian personnel -- which would be accompanied by dependents -- and about 3,500-6,600 annual flights, with 10%-15% done between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Jeanes said if the center is at Fort Smith, residents can expect F-16s around June 2023 and the first F-35s in July 2024.
Jeanes said the Singapore air force must leave Luke Air Force Base so the base can accommodate incoming F-35 aircraft. He said Ebbing would eventually host various countries' air force personnel over the course of the program, including Poland and Finland, and the base could remain indefinitely.
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