The proposed in-state relocation of the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson AFB, Alaska, to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson would save the Air Force $227 million over a five-year period and help achieve operational efficiencies, states the recently issued draft report on the move’s environmental impact. Eielson’s 21 F-16s and associated personnel would shift to Elmendorf under the proposal, while Eielson would continue to support major training exercises with a much-reduced personnel footprint, according to the report’s executive summary. Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), a critic of the move, challenged its “phantom cost savings” in a May 31 release on the draft report. Similarly, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) called the plan a “backdoor BRAC” with no validated cost savings, in her same-day release. The Air Force also looked at three alternatives: relocate the F-16s to Elmendorf, but deploy them to Eielson for 12 weeks a year for major exercises; station the F-16s at Elmendorf and deploy them with tanker support for exercises for 12 weeks per year; and take no action. The release of the final environmental report is expected this fall. (Click here for full documentation.)
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
