Click here for PDF
MEDIA
ALERT
June
03 2021
Contact: Lt. Col. Brian L. Mason
State Public Affairs Officer
Arkansas National Guard
501-212-5020 / 501-590-0318
ng.ar.ararng.mbx.daily-guard@mail.mil
Dept.
of the Air Force has chosen Fort Smith as FMS location
~
Will be used to train Republic of Singapore s F 16 /F 35 crews
WHO:
Fort Smith and A rkansas Ebbing Air National Guard base
WHAT:
will become the training site for Singapore s foreign military sales F 16 F 35
aircrews
WHEN:
The first F 16 aircraft are expected to arrive in 202 3 with F 35s to follow in 2026
WHERE:
Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Fort Smith Airport, Fort Smith, Ark.
WHY:
The U.S. Government app roved the sale of up to 12 F 35 Joint Strike Fighter jets to
the Republic of Singapore through the f oreign m ilitary s ales program in early 2020. Singapore
requested to co locate its Arizona based F 16 training detachment with its future F 35 training
unit. With Luke AFB reaching its hosting capacity in the comi ng years, t he U.S. Air Force
identified five locations that were shortl isted as potential relocation sites in July, 2020.
Dignitaries
from the Republic of Singapore and Air Force personnel v isited three of those five
locations in March, 2020. The other locations vis i ted were Jo int Base San Antonio Lackland,
Texas and Selfridge A ir National Guard Base, Mi ch igan
“
This is the beginning of a mutually beneficial strategic partnership between Fort Smith and
Singapor e, sa id Maj. Gen. Kendall Pen n, Arkansas Adjutant General, The Republic of
Singapore Air Force chose Arkansas for its pristine air space and warm welcome by th e188th
and Fort Smith. I have no doubt they see it as a great location to train their fighter pilots, but
they are g oing to really enjoy all that the River Valley and beyond has to offer their aircrews and
families.
“We
are pleased to announce the 188th Wing has been selected as the primary training location
for the RSAF F 16s and FMS F 35s says Col. Leon Dodroe, 188 th commander We were
honored to show case our on site facilities, air space, ramp space, and the Raz orback Range to
the Singapore delegation. Our ready to use facilities and overwhelming community support
were spectacular. We have demonstrated to the Air Force and to Singapore that Fort Smith is a
great place to work and play. Thank you to the entire A rkansas community for helping us
develop next generation Airpower here in the River Valley!”
@arkansasguard
Arkansas
National Guard arkansasguard
Arkansas
National Guard Public Affairs Office arkansas.nationalguard.mil
A
A factfact sheetsheet onon thethe FF--3535 aircraftaircraft isis availableavailable here:here:
https://www.af.mil/About
https://www.af.mil/About--UUs/Facts/Fact--Sheets/Display/Article/478441/fSheets/Display/Article/478441/f--35a35a--lightninglightning--ii/ii/
A
A factfact sheetsheet onon thethe FF--1616 aircraftaircraft isis availableavailable here:here:
https://www.af.mil/About
https://www.af.mil/About--Us/FactUs/Fact--Sheets/Display/Article/104505/fSheets/Display/Article/104505/f--1616--fightingfighting--falcon/falcon/
All
All queriesqueries onon thethe topictopic ofof thethe basingbasing decisiondecision shouldshould bebe directeddirected toto SarahSarah FioccaFiocca atat thethe SecretarySecretary ofof thethe AirAir ForceForce PublicPublic Affairs:Affairs: 703703--571571--27772777 oror sarah.fiocco@us.af.milsarah.fiocco@us.af.mil
-
- 3030 --