The US Department of the Air Force formulated plans to upgrade Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) in Guam, with a proposal that includes potential facilities for up to 12 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 fighters.
Initially announced on April 20, 2021, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for infrastructure upgrades at Andersen AFB underwent a strategic pause for reevaluation, considering “evolving strategic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific.”
A revised Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register on December 15, 2023, initiating a 30-day public scoping period.
Two locations were selected for the upgrades to accommodate the Singaporean fighters, with aircraft infrastructure to be built at the northwest corner of the airfield, and additional facilities within the munitions storage area of the airbase.
“Construction of upgrades would take place over approximately 3 to 7 years and would include airfield pavements, an aircraft hangar, maintenance and utilities buildings, fuel systems, fencing and utilities, roadways and parking, stormwater management infrastructure, and earth-covered magazines,” the NOI reads.
Andersen AFB was chosen after reviewing several options, dismissing five alternative locations. The base, located on the island of Guam in the western Pacific Ocean, is a strategic military installation operated by the USAF. It serves as a key forward operating location, supporting the projection of air power by the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The next stage will elaborate a comprehensive assessment of potential environmental impacts and community concerns. A draft EIS is expected by mid-2024, with the final EIS and plans slated for early to mid-2025.