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Homestead named as potential candidate for F-35
January 22, 2008 (by
AFRC News Service) -
Homestead ARB was recently named as one of 16 Air Force Reserve Command sites appearing on the Air Force's "roadmap" for basing weapons systems in the future.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced the long-term plan Jan. 16. It projects what Air Force capabilities the nation needs in the 21st century to meet threats to the nation's security.
If approved, the "roadmap" proposes the formation of an active associate unit where reservists would share the F-35 fighter with active-duty Airmen.
"Our nation's competitors know that our Air Force provides America its decisive advantage," said General Moseley. "We need to prepare today for tomorrow's challenges. We need one vector to best meet the warfighting requirements of our nation."
The Air Force Reserve locations and types of missions are:
As part of the Air Force's strategic planning efforts, senior leaders from the Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve gathered in early December to discuss and collaborate on the plan. The roadmap is designed to meet one of the nation's most pressing needs: recapitalization and modernization of its aging Air Force fleet.
General Moseley's roadmap outlines where future advanced weapon systems could potentially be based in the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. territories. The plan calls for Air Force officials to evaluate installations that currently house legacy weapon systems forecasted for replacement by future systems.
General Moseley said the roadmap represents a more efficient and flexible force structure. Although the Air Force will have a smaller total aircraft inventory, overall Air Force capabilities will increase with each next-generation weapon system. In many instances, the potential locations will capitalize on Total Force Integration efforts, creating innovative organizational arrangements among the Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
Installations that meet preliminary objective requirements then will undergo thorough environmental studies in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA mandates environmental analyses and impact studies. These are critical factors in determining final beddown bases in the United States as suitable locations for weapon systems.
These major studies take time. One study may involve one or more installations. Some locations may not require a review.
The findings of these environmental studies, along with the results of required fiscal and operational analyses over the next several years, will determine the final beddown plan and phasing.
Air Force Reserve potential beddown basing of future weapon systems as announced by Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff. [USAF publication]
If approved, the "roadmap" proposes the formation of an active associate unit where reservists would share the F-35 fighter with active-duty Airmen.
"Our nation's competitors know that our Air Force provides America its decisive advantage," said General Moseley. "We need to prepare today for tomorrow's challenges. We need one vector to best meet the warfighting requirements of our nation."
The Air Force Reserve locations and types of missions are:
- Andrews Air Force Base, Md. - Reservists flying unit KC-X air refueling aircraft
- Barksdale AFB, La. - Reservists flying unit F-35 fighter and Next Generation bomber aircraft
- Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. - Reservists performing combat search and rescue missions on unit CSAR-X aircraft
- Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. - Reservists flying unit KC-X aircraft
- Hill AFB, Utah - Regular Air Force unit sharing F-35 fighter with Air Force Reserve classic associate unit
- Holloman AFB, N.M. - Regular Air Force unit sharing F-22 fighter with Air Force Reserve classic associate unit
- Homestead ARB, Fla. - Reservists sharing F-35 fighter with Regular Air force active associate unit
- Luke AFB, Ariz. - Regular Air Force unit sharing F-35 fighter with Air Force Reserve classic associate unit
- MacDill AFB, Fla. - Regular Air Force unit sharing KC-X aircraft with Air Force Reserve classic associate unit
- March ARB, Calif. - Reservists flying unit KC-X aircraft
- McConnell AFB, Kan. - Regular Air Force unit sharing KC-X aircraft with Air Force Reserve classic associate unit
- Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas - Reservists sharing F-35 fighter with Regular Air force active associate unit
- Patrick AFB, Fla. - Reservists flying unit CSAR-X aircraft
- Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. - Reservists sharing KC-X aircraft with Regular Air force active associate unit
- Tinker AFB, Okla. - Reservists sharing KC-X aircraft with Air National Guard air reserve component associate unit
- Whiteman AFB, Mo. - Reservists flying unit F-35 fighter
As part of the Air Force's strategic planning efforts, senior leaders from the Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve gathered in early December to discuss and collaborate on the plan. The roadmap is designed to meet one of the nation's most pressing needs: recapitalization and modernization of its aging Air Force fleet.
General Moseley's roadmap outlines where future advanced weapon systems could potentially be based in the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. territories. The plan calls for Air Force officials to evaluate installations that currently house legacy weapon systems forecasted for replacement by future systems.
General Moseley said the roadmap represents a more efficient and flexible force structure. Although the Air Force will have a smaller total aircraft inventory, overall Air Force capabilities will increase with each next-generation weapon system. In many instances, the potential locations will capitalize on Total Force Integration efforts, creating innovative organizational arrangements among the Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
Installations that meet preliminary objective requirements then will undergo thorough environmental studies in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. NEPA mandates environmental analyses and impact studies. These are critical factors in determining final beddown bases in the United States as suitable locations for weapon systems.
These major studies take time. One study may involve one or more installations. Some locations may not require a review.
The findings of these environmental studies, along with the results of required fiscal and operational analyses over the next several years, will determine the final beddown plan and phasing.