12.11.18

Air Force Recommends Additional F-22 Raptors be stationed at JBER

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Air Force announced on Friday that it is recommending the operational F-22 Raptors formerly housed at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB) in Florida, be accommodated at other operational bases across the country, including at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska.

"We have recommended that the best path forward to increase readiness and use money wisely is to consolidate the operational F-22s formerly at Tyndall in Alaska, Hawaii and Virginia, and make the decision now to put the next three squadrons of F-35s beyond those for which we have already made decisions at Tyndall," said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson in a recent press release.

On October 10, Hurricane Michael hit the gulf coast and damaged 95 percent of the facilities at Tyndall AFB, including the base’s hangars and flights operations buildings. The Air Force is recommending that Congress use supplemental funding for rebuilding the base to prepare to receive the F-35 Lightning II fighter at Tyndall.

“Hurricane Michael was a tragedy that caused catastrophic damage to Tyndall AFB and my prayers continue to be with those affected,” said U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK).  “Last week though, the Air Force took an important step in recommending the rebuilding Tyndall AFB for its new future, and, at the same time, making our F-22 fleet more mission-capable. Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson stands ready to support additional F-22s, and Alaskans stand proud in welcoming our new airmen and their families to our great state.”

Senator Sullivan worked to include language in the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review optimal squadron sizes and locations for the limited quantity of F-22s in the Air Force.  On October 10, 2018, Senator Sullivan held his first hearing as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support to receive testimony on Air Force readiness.  During his opening statement, he referenced the completed GAO review of the F-22 and asked questions about consolidating the F-22 fleet later in the hearing. 

Alaska is the hub of air combat power for the Asia-Pacific and the Arctic and will boast over 100 fifth generation, combat-coded fighters with two squadrons of F-35s anticipated to arrive at Eielson AFB beginning in 2020, joining two squadrons of F-22s already based at JBER.

Click here for more information on the Air Force proposal to Congress.

 

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