PACAF Chief Says Eielson AFB Likely To Be F-35's First Pacific Home Base

摘要

The commander of Pacific Air Forces said this week that Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska appears to be the favonte to be selected as the first overseas base for the Joint Strike Fighter. That basing process is expected to wrap up in early 2014. In discussing a range of F-35 issues with reporters at a July 29 Defense Writers Group breakfast, Gen. Herbert Carlisle also said he has no hesitation about taking the aircraft to war in 2016 if necessary with the Block 2B software package the Air Force has agreed to accept at its initial operational capability (IOC) date. The Air Force is close to confirming that its first active-duty F-35 A operational squadron will be housed at Hill Air Force Base, UT, but its second is destined for the Pacific region. Carlisle described why Eielson AFB is almost certain to be chosen as one of four finalists later this year and compares favorably to most other bases in the area.