MEDIA RELEASE

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

366th Fighter Wing Headquarters, Office of Public Affairs

366 Gunfighter Ave, Suite 2014

Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho 83648

(208) 828-6800; Fax (208) 828-4205; On-call (208) 599-4212                                                                                                                                                                                                     Release: 2209901

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               8 April 2022

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICAT IMPACTS FROM THE PROPOSED QEAF BEDDOWN AT MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Id. – The Final Environmental Assessment, which was recently completed, assessed the potential impacts associated with the beddown of a US-led Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15QA squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base and concluded a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

The EA, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality regulations, and Air Force instructions implementing NEPA evaluates potential impacts of the alternative actions on the environment including the No-Action Alternative. The resource areas analyzed as part of this determination included noise; air quality; safety; land use; earth resources; biological resources; cultural resources; infrastructure; hazardous materials and wastes, Environmental Restoration Program sites, and toxic substances; socioeconomics; and environmental justice. In addition, no significant impacts associated with the Proposed Action when considered with reasonably foreseeable future projects would be anticipated.

The stand-up of the squadron is contingent upon successful completion of the environmental analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as negotiations between the U.S. and Qatar.

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to establish a United States Air Force–led QEAF F-15QA training squadron and maintenance training within the continental U.S. to strengthen relationships between the U.S. and Qatar. Training of QEAF personnel is necessary to help ensure the combat readiness and enhanced performance of both partner nations in the event that multinational conflicts arise. The F-15QA is an advanced version of the F-15E Strike Eagle currently flown at Mountain Home AFB.

If approved, the proposed action would include the beddown of 12 F-15QA aircraft and associated equipment, use of the Mountain Home Air Force Base airfield, special use airspace and military training routes for training, use of defensive countermeasures and ordnance, approximately 300 additional QEAF and United States Air Force personnel, and the construction and modification of facilities and infrastructure needed to support the beddown. Basing and operations are proposed to begin in early Fiscal Year 2024. The QEAF would beddown for 10 years with an option to extend the beddown beyond the initial 10 years.

The Final Environmental Assessment can be viewed here.

For more information, contact the Air Force press desk at (703) 695-0640. Information about US-Qatar relations can be found on the Department of State website.

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