Air Force announces Raptor, Global Hawk basing plans

Released: 27 Jan 2000

"Langley Air Force Base is the preferred alternative for the location of the first operational F-22 wing," said Lt. Gen. Hal Hornburg, Air Combat Command vice commander.

The final basing decision will be contingent upon the completion of appropriate environmental impact analysis process actions. This analysis will include a look at reasonable alternatives to Langley, Eglin AFB, Fla., Tyndall AFB, Fla., Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; and the "no-action" alternative. Other alternatives may arise during the public scoping process, he said.

Hornburg said the environmental analysis process would be completed in about two years. The analysis will examine issues such as land use, airspace and safety, air and water quality, noise, socioeconomic impacts, biological and cultural resources, quality of training and cumulative impacts.

The F-22 air superiority fighter is being developed to replace the aging F-15 aircraft with initial operational capability projected for December 2005. The Air Force is projected to obtain a total of 339 aircraft.

"The F-22 will guarantee American dominance over any future battlefield. As you know, that's critical because dominance in the air enables our military to conduct operations in the air, on land or in the sea without any interference from the enemy," Hornburg said.

"If Langley is ultimately selected, bringing the F-22 here would be another historical event for this historically rich area -- just one more accomplishment that reflects on the pride and commitment this community shows in support of Air Force operations," said Col. Felix Dupre, 1st Fighter Wing commander. "We also know that the F-22 will bring unparalleled mission capability to support national security interests."

Two F-22 development aircraft are at Edwards AFB, Calif., where the F-22 Combined Test Force is located. Nellis AFB, Nev., was recently selected as the location for the F-22 Force Development Evaluation program and Weapons School. The environmental analysis for a proposed training base is still ongoing, with Tyndall AFB, Fla., identified as the preferred alternative.

At the same time, the Air Force will soon begin the environmental impact analysis process for basing the Global Hawk system, Hornburg said. The process will include, among other things, establishing the evaluation criteria to determine the potential basing locations.

Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle that provides battlespace commanders high-altitude, long-endurance, near-real-time intelligence.