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FAIRBANKS - The commander of the Pacific U.S. Air Force told a group of defense journalists this morning that Eielson Air Force Base is one of the top contenders to be the second base to house the military’s newest fighter plane, according to the publication Inside Defense. The final decision for the next generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter won’t Be made until 2014, but Gen. Herbert Carlisle said that among nine Pacific region bases, Eielson was likely to be among the top four picks. "We haven't downselected, but I would say that Eielson, Misawa, Kadena (two bases in Japan) and...

FAIRBANKS — An 81-year-old man was Tasered during a traffic stop last week. It is the second time since 1998 that police have had to make a show of force during a traffic stop to arrest Glen M. Wilcox, a Fairbanks-based Episcopalian priest and real estate agent. Court documents allege that officers with Eielson Air Force Base’s 354th Security Forces Squadron pulled Wilcox over just after 1 p.m. Wednesday for going 11 miles over the speed limit on the Richardson Highway. An officer, identified as a senior airman in court documents, took Wilcox’s license, registration and proof of insurance and...

8/15/2008 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- I learned a big lesson on service Aug. 4, 2008, when Eielson had the rare honor of hosting President Bush on a refueling stop as he traveled to Asia. It was an event Eielson will never forget -- a hangar full of Airmen and Soldiers getting to see the Commander in Chief up close, and perhaps even shaking his hand. An incredible amount of effort goes into presidential travel because of all of the logistics, security, protocol, etc ... so it was remarkable to see Air Force One land at Eielson on...

U.S. fighter pilots from Japan and South Korea are honing their combat skills at Operation Red Flag-Alaska, a two-week exercise that ends Friday. Hosted by Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska’s central interior, the exercise is part of the spin up for a second deployment downrange this fall for the 14th Fighter Squadron from Misawa Air Base in northern Japan. “Every one of the pilots flying with the 14th Fighter Squadron will be deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom in September,” Col. Mark Altobelli, 35th Operations Group commander, was quoted in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. This year’s Red Flag also includes...

The white, black and gray aircrafts will be used as aggressor planes assigned to Eielson AFB, Alaska for training exercises to include Red Flag Alaska. This is the first time an arctic scheme has been used. Currently the Air Force has three aggressor squadrons that have the mission of replicating potential adversary aircraft in order to provide training for U.S. and coalition combat air forces, said Col. Eddie Osteen, 354th Operations Group deputy commander. There are three different paint schemes applied to Eielson's aggressors to be used during throughout the year. "The aggressor paint scheme is used to help 'friendly'...

10/6/2006 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- Eighteen children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Fairbanks, Alaska, met Airmen from the 355th Fighter Squadron and received an up close and personal look at an A-10 Thunderbolt II when they visited here Sept. 30. "The 355th FS not only wanted to help (Big Brothers Big Sisters) in that regard, but they also wanted to honor the 'Bigs' for their dedication and time they give to these children, the community, and quite honestly, the nation," said Lt. Col. Quentin Rideout, 355th FS commander. Once at the squadron, the Big...

The mission of the 18th AS will be to provide realistic combat adversary training in air, space and information operations. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures to give a realistic simulation of air combat. The unit will stand up with 18 Block 30 F-16 Fighting Falcons and later will expand to 24 fighter aircraft. The squadron will be ready to provide aggressor training for Red Flag - Alaska exercises in Spring 2007. The squadron also will support training and exercises throughout the Pacific region and additional requirements of the 57th Aggressor Tactics Group at Nellis AFB, Nev. The...

ANCHORAGE—The Base Realignment and Closure Commission on Thursday rejected the Pentagon’s proposal to place Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks on “warm” status. Instead, commissioners recommended keeping the 354th Fighter Wing’s F-16 fighter planes at the base instead of distributing all fighter aircraft to installations outside Alaska. The base's A-10s would be relocated to Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. The 168th air refueling wing, a National Guard unit, would remain at home as well. “I don’t think it can be kept in warm status,” said commission member James Hansen before the vote was taken. “It would be rather foolish...