Who knew a portion of the national defense for the Republic of Singapore would ever be attributable to Fort Smith?
By now the news has spread that the U.S. Department of Defense, working with the Singapore Ministry of Defense, has selected Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith as the location for the island nation's training operations involving F-16 fighter jets and, by 2026, a fleet of on-order F-35 fighters.
Singapore now flies the F-16s at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix. The move to Fort Smith will allow for the consolidation of the training missions for both planes.
Why not train in Singapore? That nation doesn't have a lot of room for training operations. And why not learn from U.S. airmen who know these aircraft backward and forward?
Ebbing will also become a site for an F-35 training center for pilots involved in other Foreign Military Sales, with a capacity for up to 36 fighter aircraft. The Arms Export Control Act allows the United States to sell defense equipment to foreign nations deemed to aid U.S national security and peace around the globe.
Depending on their configuration, each jet can cost tens of millions of dollars, with the newer-model F-35s the more expensive of the two. Just imagine how much of an investment will be made for Ebbing to become home to these training facilities and operations.
Naturally, that's the main attraction for Arkansas and the greater Fort Smith area, the economic impact all those pilots and support staff will have beyond the base. It doesn't come without some up-front costs.
Two other locations were visited by decision-makers, on at San Antonio, and one in Michigan. Several others made bids for the missions.
The state will put up $17 million and, just last week, the Fort Smith Board of Directors wisely committed $5 million. All that money will prepare Ebbing for the new missions, including a 1,300-foot runway extension. Ebbing Air National Guard Base shares runways with the Fort Smith Regional Airport, which could benefit as well.
City Administrator Carl Geffken told directors "spending $5 million once to get a billion-dollar return annually is a no-brainer."
Fort Smith delivered a win for western Arkansas with support from the state's U.S. senators and Third District Rep. Steve Womack. And, undoubtedly, what made Ebbing attractive is everything Fort Smith, the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas has to offer in terms of amenities.
Is it too soon to say "mission accomplished?"
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What’s the point?
Fort Smith scores big for Arkansas by attracting new missions for Ebbing Air National Guard Base.