‘Arresting system’ work begins at Fort Smith Regional Airport

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Having just completed a $17 million runway extension, Fort Smith Regional Airport officials are now working on adding an almost $18 million “arresting system” on the main runway. Both projects are to prep for the military’s foreign pilot training center at the airport.

Work is also set to begin in early 2024 on expansion of a fire station at the airport to accommodate the new training center.

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 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.

‘Arresting system’ work begins at Fort Smith Regional Airport

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/

Reaper to Conduct First Flight from Fort Smith as Part of 188th Exercise

by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)

The remotely piloted aircraft used by the 188th Wing is for the first time being launched from the Fort Smith Regional Airport as part of the exercise Establish Fury designed to exhibit the 188th’s access to military airspace, especially the Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee.

The exercises, being held through July 14, will welcome the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft based at Houston’s 147th Attack Wing and other Air National Guard forces, a press release said.

The MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft will launch from the Fort Smith Regional Airport for training flights over Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center near Charleston. The close proximity from launch location to training area provides more time for training rather than transport, which is the norm for other locations, said Capt. Dylan Hollums, 188th public affairs officer.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/06/reaper-to-conduct-first-flight-from-fort-smith-as-part-of-188th-exercise/

The MQ-9 Reaper arrives at the Fort Smith Regional Airport as part of a 188th Wing exercise.