Polish F-35 jets expected to soon arrive in Fort Smith

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The first two F-35 fighter jets built for Poland will soon roll off the Lockheed production line in Fort Worth, Texas, and Col. Nicholas Ihde is ready to fly one of the fifth-generation jets to Fort Smith and “bring to fruition” the U.S. Air Force foreign pilot training center.

Ihde, commander of the 85th Fighter Group at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, told Talk Business & Politics on Thursday that the jets expected to arrive in September could arrive in Fort Smith as early as Dec. 20. He said the noisy arrival of the first two jets should put to rest any concerns about the reality of the high-profile training center.

“There’s been some naysayers around that think this is never going to come to fruition because it was so far out in the future. What I would tell you is we are right around the corner. In the next week or two I’m going down to Fort Worth to fly the first Poland jet here to Ebbing,” said Ihde, who officially took command of the 85th in early July.

Polish F-35 jets expected to soon arrive in Fort Smith

F-35 jet built for Poland (photo from Lockheed)

Boozman Celebrates Poland F-35 Rollout

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) celebrated the rollout of Poland’s F-35s that will soon arrive at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, the new home of the Foreign Military Sales mission for the aircraft.

Boozman joined officials from the United States and Poland as well as Lockheed Martin leadership to applaud the unveiling of the first Polish F-35 at the company’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas Wednesday. This marks a critical step in advancing Arkansas’s role in protecting the interests of our country and allies.

“Developing these capabilities side by side is critical to ensuring global security. Now more than ever we can see the advantages of interoperability between partner nations, and this event only furthers the already strong relationship between Poland and the U.S.,” Boozman said. “The Fort Smith community is truly excited to see Polish pilots and jets soon fly in The Natural State.” 

In March 2023 the Air Force announced Ebbing Air National Guard Base as home of the foreign military pilot training center. Boozman, along with Arkansas Congressional Delegation members Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack, worked to secure the mission and are continuing to champion federal investments that serve to enhance the installation and community. 

As ranking member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Subcommittee, Boozman has shepherded legislation through the Senate allocating funds over multiple years to prepare Ebbing to successfully host the program and allied partners. 

In Fiscal Year 2024 Boozman, Cotton and Womack delivered $83 million to the base and are committed to supporting continued investment in Fiscal Year 2025 and beyond. 

Sen. Boozman poses in front of the first Polish F-35 at the Lockheed Martin plant.

‘Bedrock’ units to train F-35 pilots in Fort Smith are activated

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Military units activated during World War II to train pilots for operations in Africa and the Aleutian Islands in what was then the U.S. Territory of Alaska were reactivated Tuesday (July 2) to train foreign military pilots at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith.

The 85th Fighter Group and the 57th Fighter Squadron, both under the Eglin, Fla.-based 33rd Fighter Wing, will be based at Ebbing and are the “bedrock” of training for F-35 pilots from numerous U.S. and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allied countries, noted Rob Ator, a retired Air Force colonel and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission director of Military Affairs.

“Of the three big things that had to happen, we needed this to happen. So now we have the core of the instructors, and then we have to have the runway available, and then we have to have aircraft arrival. And that’s all going to happen by the end of Fall,” Ator said Tuesday.

‘Bedrock’ units to train F-35 pilots in Fort Smith are activated

Col. Nicholas Ihde visits with media Tuesday (July 2) after a formal ceremony recognizing him as incoming commander of the 85th Fighter Group.

Number of foreign military jets at Fort Smith could rise; basing cost up to $850 million

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

The foreign military pilot training center in Fort Smith has yet to become operational or even see its first jet find a home in a hangar, but the number of planes could potentially rise, and the cost to establish the center is also up from initial estimates.

Rob Ator, a retired Air Force colonel and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission director of Military Affairs, said Monday (April 29) that efforts are underway to prepare Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith to handle 48 fighter jets instead of the original 36.

Ebbing, home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith and co-located with the Fort Smith Regional Airport, was selected in March by the U.S. Air Force to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Specifically, Singapore is expected to base 12 F-16s at Ebbing, with slots for 24 F-35s from the participating countries.

Number of foreign military jets at Fort Smith could rise; basing cost up to $850 million

Col. Jay “Evil” Spohn, commander of the 188th Wing based at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, on Monday (April 29) addresses attendees of a Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce event.

Fort Smith officials hear about noise concerns, new rules related to foreign pilot training center

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

Some Fort Smith residents – including a former Fort Smith Regional Airport manager – expressed concerns Thursday (April 25) about noise levels in the city when F-35 fighter jets begin arriving this summer as part of the Foreign Military Sales program.

Ebbing Air National Guard Base, home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith and co-located with the Fort Smith Regional Airport, was selected in March 2023 by the U.S. Air Force to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Finland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Initial estimates are that 1,500 military personnel and family members will be associated with the new center once it is fully operational.

U.S. Air Force officials have said the earliest planes and pilots from foreign nations could arrive at Ebbing would be in late 2024, part of the military’s fiscal year 2025 beginning in September 2024. The full complement of 12 F-16s and 24 F-35s from various nations could arrive in fiscal year 2026 at the earliest. It has been estimated that the full cost to create an operational foreign pilot training center will range between $700 million and $800 million.

Fort Smith officials hear about noise concerns, new rules related to foreign pilot training center

Berend Verheijen Image

Lockheed Martin plans to open facility in Fort Smith, employ up to 90

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Defense industry giant Lockheed Martin is the first known company with plans to locate a facility in Fort Smith to support the foreign pilot training center being established at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

The Bethesda, Md.-based company has scheduled a “recruiting event” between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., April 16, at the Wyndham Fort Smith City Center in downtown Fort Smith. According to information from Lockheed, Keith Petrosky, director of Talent Acquisition with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, will host the event.

According to Lockheed, the planned support site will employ up to 90 in jobs that include aircraft and support systems, information tech, quality and safety support, and F-35 maintenance. The company manufactures the F-35 advanced fighter jet.

Lockheed Martin plans to open facility in Fort Smith, employ up to 90

F-35 fighter jet

ICYMI: Womack, Boozman, Cotton secure funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base

Washington, DC—March 25, 2024…Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR), Senator John Boozman (R-AR), and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) secured nearly $291 million for Ebbing Air National Guard Base in FY24 Appropriations bills.

Congressman Womack said, “Fort Smith will be the premier location for F-35 FMS training and Singapore's F-16 mission. I'm proud of our work to secure vital investments for Ebbing Air National Guard Base, promoting Arkansas' role in bolstering national security and boosting the region's economy. This ensures the installation receives the necessary funding to build infrastructure and keeps the mission beddown on schedule. I look forward to hearing the 'Sound of Freedom' very soon in the River Valley!”

Senator Boozman said, “I’m proud to work with Congressman Womack and Senator Cotton to secure funding for Ebbing Air National Guard Base that will make it the premier pilot training center in the country. This investment will enhance the base infrastructure to deliver on-time training for our partners. I look forward to continuing our work to deliver resources in support of the new mission.”

Senator Cotton said, “I'm pleased that this funding resulted in Ebbing Air National Guard Base receiving over $207 million. Our delegation's efforts ensure that Arkansas will continue to lead the way in securing our national defense.”

The FY24 Defense Appropriations bill was signed into law Saturday, which delivered nearly $208 million for the Foreign Military Sales mission's future pilot training sites and pilot training center.

The FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill was signed into law on March 9, which delivered $83 million for Ebbing Air National Guard Base construction, planning, and design.

‘Deep work’ ongoing to establish foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

With Fort Smith chosen for a foreign pilot training center, members of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation are pushing to secure funding, commitments, and relationships from and with the U.S. Air Force and officials in Singapore.

The Ebbing Air National Guard base, which is home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith, was selected on June 8, 2021, to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The final decision was signed on March 10, clearing the way for Ebbing to be the next home for the 425th Fighter Squadron, a Republic of Singapore F-16 Fighting Falcon training unit now based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the federal agency managing the FMS, notes that the program provides “responsible arms sales to further national security and foreign policy objectives by strengthening bilateral defense relations, supporting coalition building, and enhancing interoperability between U.S. forces and militaries of friends and allies.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/04/deep-work-ongoing-to-establish-foreign-pilot-training-center-in-fort-smith/

Final decision places foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

It’s official. Fort Smith will be home to a foreign military pilot training center, initially bringing more than 500 military personnel and an estimated 300 “dependent families” to the city during the next two years.

It was announced Wednesday (March 15) that U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has signed the final “record of decision” to place the unique operation at Ebbing Air National Guard Base located adjacent to the Fort Smith Regional Airport.

Ebbing, which is home to the 188th Wing in Fort Smith, was selected on June 8, 2021, by then-acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The Air Force also selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Selfridge, Mich., as the alternative site.The Air Force also selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Selfridge, Mich., as the alternative site.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/03/final-decision-places-foreign-pilot-training-center-in-fort-smith/

Fort Smith remains preferred site for foreign pilot training center

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

A final Environmental Impact Statement released in late January by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) continues to show Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith as the “preferred” site for a for a foreign pilot training center.

Ebbing was selected June 8, 2001 by acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. In addition to Ebbing, the Air Force selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Selfridge, Mich., as the alternative site.

A final “Record of Decision,” or ROD, could come in late February or early March.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/02/fort-smith-remains-preferred-site-for-foreign-pilot-training-center/

An F-16 flown by the Singapore Air Force.

Fort Smith Selected for Military Pilot Training Center; Estimated $1 Billion Economic Impact

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith has been selected by acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth to be the long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

In addition to Ebbing, which is home to the 188th Wing, the finalist sites for the center were Hulman Field (Indiana), Buckley Air Force Base (Colorado), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (Texas) and Selfridge Air National Guard Base (Michigan).

Officials announced the selection process on July 20, 2020. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the federal agency managing the FMS, notes that the program provides “responsible arms sales to further national security and foreign policy objectives by strengthening bilateral defense relations, supporting coalition building, and enhancing interoperability between U.S. forces and militaries of friends and allies.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/fort-smith-selected-for-military-pilot-training-center-estimated-1-billion-economic-impact/

An F-16 flown by the Singapore Air Force.

‘Military Judgment,’ Not Politics, Likely to Guide FMS Site Location Decision

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and a defense industry lobbyist with ties to Fort Smith believe a decision to locate a pilot training center for the U.S. military’s Foreign Military Sales will be based on “military judgment” and not on politics.

Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith is one of five Air Force finalist sites for a long-term pilot training center supporting F-16 and F-35 fighter planes purchased by Singapore, Switzerland and other countries participating in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/military-judgment-not-politics-likely-to-guide-fms-site-location-decision/

The F-35