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Army eyes Alaska expansion

Army officials are considering bringing more helicopters and aviation soldiers to the state in an effort to bolster the training and capabilities of the infantry brigades already stationed here.

A series of public meetings begins tonight in Fairbanks to let people comment before the Army prepares an environmental study on the impact of the proposals, which range from organizing a small unit of soldiers and helicopters to an option that would bring up to 2,210 personnel and more than 70 helicopters to the state.

"We're having this public comment to see what we should be looking for in an (environmental impact statement)," said Bob Hall, a spokesman for U.S. Army Alaska. "What kind of impacts does the community think there are going to be if we were to bring additional aviation units up here?"

The process allows the communities that might be affected by the proposal to suggest concerns and areas the Army should look. A second comment period will be allowed after the environmental impact statement is complete, according to the Army.

An April 7 notice from the Department of Defense and the Army outlines the options officials are considering for bolstering aviation assets in Alaska.

Any addition of soldiers and aircraft would be built around the existing Task Force 49 at Fort Wainwright, according to the notice. The unit, which was organized in 2006, includes a fleet of 30 Black Hawk, Chinook and Kiowa helicopters and about 640 personnel.

The Army is considering three alternatives for the expansion:

• Expand the current Task Force 49 to 1,200 personnel and build facilities that could house 40 to 50 aircraft.
• Expand the task force into a 2,850 member combat aviation brigade with some new construction.
• Expand the task force into a 2,850 member combat aviation brigade, as in the previous option, but have a greater amount of construction.

The second and third options would increase the number of helicopters in the unit to more than 100 aircraft.

Hall said the impact studies will also consider a variety of locations where the new arrivals -- both personnel and aircraft -- might be stationed, including Forts Wainwright, Richardson and Greely, as well as Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force bases. The study will also look at a variety of areas for expanding training options, including the Donnelly Training Area near Fort Greely.

Hall said the push to increase Army aviation assets in Alaska comes as a natural next step for a state that has in the last few years seen the arrival of two ground-based infantry brigades -- the 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th infantry Division at Fort Wainwright and the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division at Fort Richardson. An aviation combat brigade in the state would allow more training opportunities for the infantry brigades, which would mirror the common combination of assets found in combat zones. Infantry brigades are often paired with an aviation unit in combat operations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The aviation unit usually provides the ground soldiers with air and medical transport, reconnaissance and close air support.

"An essential element of U.S. Army Alaska's combat capabilities is the development of modern war-fighting skills," the notice of intent states. "Chief among these skills is the ability to integrate U.S. Army Alaska's efforts with the vital support offered by modern Army aviation assets."

The effects of any expansion would likely include increased construction on Alaska's military installations and more training exercises at training lands and ranges. An increased number of helicopters and training exercises could also affect local air space, according to the notice.

Hall said the scoping and environmental studies are lengthy processes and that a final decision on the proposals may not be reached for two years or longer.

"This is really, really baby steps right now," Hall said. "It all depends on what kind of an impact this could have."

Contact staff writer Margaret Friedenauer at 459-7545 or at mfriedenauer@newsminer.com.