Air Force Chief of Staff to Sullivan: Eielson AFB Continues to Be Leading Candidate for F-35 in Pacific
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Armed Services Committee member Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today highlighted to the Chiefs of Staff of the four military branches, the military and geo-strategic importance of Alaska, and mentioned to his fellow Armed Services Committee colleagues that they will be hearing about Alaska’s important national security role often.
During the hearing, Sen. Sullivan pressed U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh on the latest news regarding the potential basing of two squadrons of F-35s at Eielson Air Force Base. Gen. Welsh agreed with Sen. Sullivan on the strategic benefits of a strong military presence in Alaska and the training capabilities at the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) – which, according to Gen. Welsh have been reflected in the “F-22 beddown already made, tanker beddown already made, and now the consideration of Eielson as the leading candidate for our Pacific [F-35] beddown.”
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In response to Sullivan’s initial questioning on sequestration, Gen. Welsh testified that while the budget cuts might defer F-35 aircraft orders in FY2016, it would not put the initial operational capabilities at risk.
Sen. Sullivan also questioned U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Ray Odierno. Sen. Sullivan asked the General about the correlation between sequestration and proposed troop level reductions throughout the U.S. Army – including potential cuts to brigades currently based at Ft. Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf – Richardson.
Gen. Odierno responded that troop reductions are, “a direct result” of the U.S. Army preparing for sequestration.
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