Press Releases
Congressman Young Reacts to Air Force Announcement
Washington, D.C.,
January 30, 2007
The United States Air Force announced today that in accordance with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commissions recommendations, the 176th Wing currently located at Kulis Air National Guard Base (ANGB) will be relocating to the Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB). The BRAC recommendations dictate that Kulis ANGB be shut down. The move of the 176th Wing will allow for the increase and future funding of military construction on Elmendorf AFB and will be greatly beneficial to the surrounding communities as well as allowing Ted Stevens International Airport to continue to develop. By bringing the Air National Guard to Elmendorf AFB, units will be able to train together and lean to work more effectively and efficiently as a whole. This follows for the Air Force plan of "Total Force Integration." Congressman for All Alaska Don Young had the following to say regarding the Air Force’s announcement today: "We appreciate the Air Force action on Kulis – it is a win-win BRAC realignment that will ultimately benefit Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport, and enhance the strategic importance of Elmendorf Air Force Base to our nation’s defense. I trust that the Air Force and the Defense Department will provide sufficient funding for this move to ensure that the Alaska Air National Guard can continue to meet their mission requirements." The Air Force expect the completion of this move (as directed under BRAC) to be completed by September 15, 2011. |