Environmental Assessment for Proposed Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA Beddown at Mountain Home Air Force Base

Abstract : This EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code 4321 4347), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500 1508), and 32 CFR 989, is hereby incorporated by reference. The proposed action analyzed in this EA consists of a single action establishing a United States Air Force (USAF) lead RSAF training squadron of F 15SA aircraft at Mountain Home AFB with four component parts: 1) basing and operating up to 18 RSAF F 15SA aircraft tentatively beginning in 2014; 2) using the airfield and associated airspace for training; 3) increasing personnel; and 4) constructing, modifying, and equipping facilities to support the beddown. The RSAF squadron would be an Air Force lead squadron operating as a separate, but integrated, fighter squadron under the command of an Air Force squadron commander and under the operational control of the 366 Fighter Wing (FW) Commander. Operating as a Formal Training Unit (FTU) for at least 5 years, the squadron would conduct core flight training and operate an aircraft maintenance training center. Pilots, weapon system officers, and maintenance personnel would be trained at Mountain Home AFB. The new F 15SA squadron would be a multi role squadron and fly missions similar to USAF F 15E FTU squadrons. In addition to the proposed action, the NEPA of 1969 requires the USAF to analyze the no action alternative. Under the no action alternative, the basing of the RSAF F 15SA squadron would not occur in the Continental U.S., nor would any other component of the proposed action be implemented at Mountain Home AFB.