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Deal with Singapore could help Mountain Home Air Force Base land F-35s

BY KATHLEEN KRELLER - kkreller@idahostatesman.com

Published: 11/20/09


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Pomp and circumstance marked the official beginning of a 20-year agreement between Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Republic of Singapore to train flight and ground crews to operate F-15 fighter jets.

But Thursday's ceremony was only the tip of the iceberg. The deal will pump millions of dollars into the area economy, officials say, and could help the base land a F-35 fighter jet mission.

On Thursday, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said the U.S. was "progressing" on a deal to sell the F-35, the next generation of fighter jet, to Singapore.

Mountain Home is among six finalists the military is considering for a long-term F-35 mission.

Already having a training deal in place with Singapore could help Mountain Home when a decision is made about the F-35s, said Wing Commander Col. John Bird.

It is unclear exactly how much the current arrangement for F-15 training will ultimately bring to the local economy. But the Singaporean government has already hired 95 contractors to maintain the jets, which will bring $25 million to the base through Sept. 30, 2012, a spokeswoman said.

Singapore is covering the cost of housing and training the 428th Fighter Squadron, dubbed "The Buccaneers," in Mountain Home.

"This is a relationship based on shared strategic objectives," said Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who explained that his country is "faced with severe land and airspace constraints at home."

The nation of Singapore is 274 square miles, not even the size of Mountain Home's training range, Teo Che Hean said.

Singapore has training agreements for other aircraft with other military bases in the United States.

About 255 military and other personnel and 200 family members from Singapore are based in Mountain Home.

Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418

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