By Jayvee Vallejera
The U.S. military's plan to build additional infrastructure at Anderson Air Force Base to accommodate 12 fighter planes from Singapore Air Force would require 500 construction workers.
The new military training infrastructure, which is expected to be completed in 2029, would require the permanent deployment of 205 additional Air Force personnel and support teams, plus approximately 35 dependents.
The subsequent training events at AAFB, which would run for four weeks twice a year, would bring about 200 Air Force personnel and support teams.
Military planners anticipate an increased demand for long- and short-term housing, health and medical services, law enforcement, firefighting and emergency services.
Additional personnel are expected to live outside the AAFB, hence more competition for Guam’s limited housing market.
The Department of Air Force's proposed actions are outlined in the draft environmental impact statement for F-15 beddown and infrastructure upgrades at AAFB, which was released in June.
The DEIS says the 500 workers would work on the north ramp area and the construction of the munition storage area.
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“It is not anticipated that additional construction workers beyond those 500 workers would be required,” the DEIS states.
The plan is part of the U.S. military’s general strategy to enhance its posture within the Indo-Pacific region. The project will allow the AAFB to host 12 fighter planes from the Singapore Air Force, which will be stationed on Guam for training purposes.
The north ramp project, which is expected to begin in 2025, is targeted for completion within three to seven years.
The north ramp area would be used for aircraft parking, storage, maintenance, refueling, loading and unloading of the aircraft.
The DEIS assures that the planned infrastructure would be built sequentially, meaning that personnel support would remain consistent through the construction period.
AAFB expects to begin hosting the Singapore F-15s in 2029.
Once AAFB starts hosting the F-15 fighter planes, the training facility would require additional personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft, and to provide the needed support services.
The DEIS estimates that about 205 personnel would be required, which would include U.S. and Singapore Air Forces personnel and contractors who will provide support services.
The arrival of new personnel is projected to result in a 3-percent increase in AAFB's population. It is assumed that all personnel would live in homes outside the military fence.
The U.S. Department of Air Force anticipates economic benefits for Guam such as the creation of new jobs, wage increases, boosts in business sales and spending on local and regional services, housing and goods as well as potential increases in tourism.
The purchase of fill for the north ramp construction is projected to result in short-term adverse impacts “from an increase in competition for such resources”, but the DEIS also sees short-term beneficial impacts from an increase in local spending.
The DEIS anticipates adverse impacts on housing and public services because foreign workers would relocate to Guam throughout the construction period and new military personnel would be stationed on island.
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