AK Delegation: F-35 Decision Will Trigger Economic Boom for Interior Alaska
Posted by Wes Madden on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 8:40 AM
By Wes Madden / February 29, 2016
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alaska Congressional Delegation applauded the Air Force’s publication of the final Environmental Impact Study (EIS) regarding the beddown of two squadrons of F-35s to be based at Eielson Air Force Base. Publication of the EIS is a necessary step toward a final Air Force decision on where to base the first F-35As in the Pacific Theatre. The study assesses whether the Air Force can locate the F-35 squadrons at Eielson, and a final “Record of Decision” will be announced in approximately 30 days.
The EIS contains data about the effects of the F-35 beddown at Eielson, including that it could bring up 54 new aircraft and 2,765 additional residents to Interior Alaska. Construction activity associated with the siting of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter is expected to create a total of 2,339 new jobs and generate $453.4 million in economic output over the next four years.
The entire Environmental Impact Statement...