F-16 Fighter Planes Could Move from Eielson to Elmendorf

Begich and Murkowski fight proposal

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Feb 3, 2012 at 9:07 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2012 at 9:09 PM AKDT

Two members of Alaska’s congressional delegation are speaking out about an Air Force proposal that will move all of its F-16 fighter jets from Eielson Air Force base to Anchorage.

A 12-page document released Friday outlined the proposal that allows the Air Force to cut costs and achieve savings at Eielson.

Under the proposed plan the squadron would make the short hop to Elmendorf Air Force Base in 2013.

The proposal is just one part of the overall plans to cut $8.7 billion from the Air Force budget over the next five years.

According to Senator Mark Begich, the F-16 fighter jet move to Anchorage will not only leave the Pacific Rim vulnerable but is full of implications – he and Senator Lisa Murkowski do not support the proposal.

“Well it has an impact, [a] financial impact, employment impact,” said Begich. “The fact is this move should not happen, this is the same argument that the military used in 2005, that they could save money by moving them. It was proven it wouldn't save money.”

 

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wild bill said on Monday, Feb 6 at 9:41 AM

Yet our Fed Gov still hands out billions to countries like Egypt. How about we end foreign aid and take care of our own?

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