Ebbing’s New Mission Means Great Things For Fort Smith
Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB) has a new mission: TRAINING. Pilots from the United States and allies will go through intensive training on F-35s, F-35Bs, and F-16s.
Freedom can once again be heard in the skies above Fort Smith! There is nothing like the sound of an F-35 at breakneck speed quickly climbing into the sky and then, after mere seconds, it disappears and there is immediate silence. Fort Smith residents can take pride in the sound of these war birds as they keep America safe and put fear into the hearts of the enemies of freedom everywhere.
Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB) has a new mission: training. Pilots from America and her allies will go through intensive training on F-35s, F-35Bs, and F-16s. The new mission will not only establish Ebbing ANGB as a premier campus for national and international fighter training but will also secure an economic boon for the city of Fort Smith.
“I find them fascinating.” Gene, a local resident, said as he was watching the F-35s take off in a small observation field on 46th and Savannah Streets in Fort Smith.
“I love the speed, the sound, the vibration on the windows! I absolutely love it!”
Jeff and Justice were also watching the planes take off from behind a chain-link fence mere feet from the runway.
“I am very excited to have them back in our community, and I love listening to them,” Jeff said. “It’s great for the economy with everyone coming in.”
Justice, who is 24 years old and lives in the direct path of the jets when they take off, said he thought the F-35s were loud, but a lot of fun.
“It’s fun whenever we drive by and can stop, we’ll watch them take off and land.”
Tom Cotton, Arkansas Senator, spoke on the long-term significance of Ebbing ANGB’s mission for national security and economic growth at a recent ribbon-cutting for new international F-35 training facilities.
"We will once again hear the sound of freedom in the skies from right here in Arkansas,” Cotton said. "We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies through Ebbing's operations to enhance the security of our nation. Additionally, this base will bring amazing economic opportunities to the state [of Arkansas] for decades to come with jobs, businesses, and more."1
Fort Smith is committed to the new mission.
Gerald, another Fort Smith resident who said he lives in the direct flight path of airport traffic, including the F-35s said, “I love them. I love the noise!”
He said that he missed the A-10s when they left and was excited about the prospects of new fighter jets in the River Valley.
“I completely support the mission. As long as you see warplanes, there is still evil in the world to be reckoned with,” he said.
"To our military partners, your confidence in Fort Smith is a testament to our strong partnership and dedication toward maintaining the nation's security," said George McGill, mayor of Fort Smith, Arkansas. 1
The first pilots scheduled to train on the F-35 at the new facility will be from Poland. Then pilots from Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore will arrive in the years ahead.
“…The first international pilots are expected to begin training at Ebbing ANGB later this year, making it a hub for the 33rd Fighter Wing’s international F-35 training operations and a key player in U.S. National Defense Strategy.” 1
Training together can help to assist in better cohesion in combat among the international coalition.
The argument among military officials is that familiarity is vital if coalition countries must go to war together. Fighter pilot students who will be training at the base will have already qualified to fly fighters, but they will be learning the fifth-generation F-35 and flying them for the first time at Ebbing.
According to Air Force Times, there will be as many as 36 jets arriving at the base. This will include 24 F-35s, up to 12 F-16s, which are part of a Singaporean training unit that is transferring from Luke Air Force Base. But recently, this has been amended to include up to 46 fighter jets.
“Singapore, whose forces will be permanently stationed at Ebbing, is bringing the F-35B, the vertical takeoff-and-landing version of the jet also flown by the U.S. Marine Corps. Because the Air Force’s variant doesn’t have the same capability, the service has to find other instructor pilots to help the Singaporeans, and ensure the flight line is reinforced with special concrete that can withstand the jet’s forces, Rice said.”2
The pilots heard in the skies above Fort Smith at the beginning of September are from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
There hasn’t been this much excitement in the military community and among city officials in Fort Smith since Ebbing’s F-16 mission.
“This mission will bring approximately 900 military members and their families to the greater Fort Smith region. The U.S. Air Force anticipates moving approximately 230 personnel to the base, and the Republic of Singapore will have 300 military personnel with 300 dependent families in the region.”3
When asked about the effect on the community Jeff was a little apprehensive.
“I think there is going to be some turmoil. People aren’t going to like the noise, they are going to ‘blow up’ Facebook. Once all the jets get here and are doing it a bunch, it’s going to ‘blow it up.’”
Even so, he still believes that the F-35’s presence and the new training mission in Fort Smith are going to be worth it.
“I think it is going to be great for the economy.”
Jeff has watched fighter jets take off since the mid-1980s when the F-4 Phantoms were stationed in Fort Smith. Although he loved the rumble of the F-4, he said that his favorite is the F-16.
Lockheed Martin, in March, announced that it plans to create 90 jobs at its new location to support the mission of Ebbing ANGB.4
“Recent estimates indicate the cost of the base when fully operational could be up to $1 billion and produce a $450 million annual economic impact for the region and state. Estimates are that 1,500 military personnel and family members will be associated with the new center once it is fully operational.”5
As I am finishing writing this article, I can hear the F-35s zooming overhead as they train to keep, not only our skies but our allies’ skies safe. Although the jets are loud, Fort Smith residents can be proud of the mission. The sound of freedom is ringing once again in Fort Smith in the rumble of an F-35 engine.
Addional information.6
Ebbing ANGB hosts ribbon-cutting for new international F-35 training facilities
US prepares to open new training site for foreign F-35 pilots (Air Force Times, June 2024)
Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas Selected as Home for U.S. Air Force Mission
Lockheed Martin plans to open facility in Fort Smith, employ up to 90
Ceremony marks operational opening of foreign pilot training center in Fort Smith
Austin Praises Poland's Commitment to Ukraine's Security
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3890354/