Although the Pentagon did not propose closing Eielson AFB, Alaska, it does want to remove the active units, thereby saving some $229 million a year. Whoa, says Alaskan officials, including the state’s Adjutant General. In a letter to BRAC commissioners, Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell cites a recent Air Force study saying the estimated residual active force of 400 personnel would be way short of need. Campbell believes the Pentagon may short change the base, leaving the 168th Air Refueling Wing in the cold.
While the Space Force is still making long-term plans to establish high-fidelity live and virtual test and training ranges in the coming years, officials say they're also working with operators to identify near-term gaps and quickly field capabilities to address them.
