Womack praises Air Force selection of Arkansas airport as finalist to host F-35 aircraft

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) earlier this week applauded action by the U.S. Air Force to select Fort Smith Regional Airport, a public use joint civil-military airport located in Sebastian County, Ark., as one of five possible sites to host F-35 planes.

“Fort Smith has everything the Air Force needs for this training center,” Rep. Womack said on July 20. “With our strategic location and strong community, we are primed to support our allies and the next generation of air combat capabilities.”

U.S. Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett on July 6 signed a memorandum to establish a permanent Foreign Military Sales training center at a single continental U.S. location for 24 to 36 F-35 long-term Foreign Military Sales aircraft, according to information provided by Rep. Womack’s office.

If selected, Fort Smith also would be the base for the Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 squadron, an F-35 Foreign Military Sales customer that wants to collocate its current squadron — now located at Luke Air Force Base in Maricopa County, Ariz. — with its F-35 aircraft to a long-term Foreign Military Sales location, according to the information.

“I look forward to working with Secretary Barrett and my fellow Arkansans as the vetting process continues,” said Rep. Womack. “The River Valley is ready to take on this critical defense mission.”