Resolution - 2017 - 17-13 - Public Support For Gowen Field F-35 Base - 04/27/2017CITY OF EAGLE RESOLUTION NO. 17-13
BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAGLE,
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE, AND TO THE CONGRESSIONAL
DELEGATION REPRESENTING THE STATE OF IDAHO IN CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
WHEREAS, the Citizen Airmen of the 124th Fighter Wing at Gowen Field of the Idaho Air
National Guard have bravely served our state and country since 1946; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary of the Air Force approved Air National Guard candidate bases for
the new F -35A location and Boise's Gowen Field was selected as a base finalist; and
WHEREAS, Southern Idaho's climate is optimal for this mission, with more than 337 VFR
flying days per year, a key selection criteria; and
WHEREAS, Gowen Field provides access to acres of varied terrain with ample and
unhindered training airspace close to installations, which enables more training time and less fuel
consumption; and
WHEREAS, Gowen Field is unencumbered by the encroachment of civilian land use, which
lowers the environmental impact on surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Gowen Field has world class facilities including runway space, ramp space,
personnel housing, and maintenance and hangar bays necessary to accommodate the new F -35A base;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Eagle supports our neighbors, our friends and our families who serve
in the Idaho National Guard and as a community we would welcome the new F -35A base.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and the City Council of the City of
Eagle, Idaho, that we urge the U.S. Air Force to select Gowen Field as its preferred base for its Air
National Guard F -35A base location in 2017.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Eagle, Idaho, this Z day of April, 2017.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Eagle, Idaho, this 2- day of April, 2017.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
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Mayor Stan Ridgewa :o F haron Bergmann, City Clerk
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Resolution Urging the U.S. Air Force to Select Gown Field as Preferred Base for F -35-A
Members
Kelly Aberasturi
Owyhee County
Commissioner
Alicia Almazan
Mayor, Wilder
Chad Bell
Mayor, Star
Dave Bieter
Mayor, Boise
Dave Case
Ada County
Commissioner
Gheen
Christoffersen
Mayor, Homedale
Tom Dale
Canyon County
Commissioner
Tammy de Weerd
Mayor, Meridian
John Evans
Mayor, Garden City
James Ferdinand
Mayor, Marsing
Bob Henry
Mayor, Nampa
Brad Holton
Mayor, Greenleaf
Nathan Leigh
Mayor, Parma
Garret Nancolas
Mayor, Caldwell
Stan Ridgeway
Mayor, Eagle
Joe Stear
Mayor, Kuna
Darin Taylor
Mayor, Middleton
PO Box 1124, Meridian, ID 83680-1124
208-761-6395
blarsenu treasurevallevuartners.ori;
Guest Opinion
Support #GowenStrong — Our Economy and Local Families Depend on It
We, as your local elected officials in the Treasure Valley, support #GowenStrong and
urge our fellow citizens to join us with your support. The Citizen Airmen of the 124th
Fighter Wing of the Idaho Air National Guard at Gowen Field are being considered as an
Air National Guard base location for the F-35. As one of five finalists, Gowen Field is a
smart decision for the military, our economy, and our neighbors, friends, and family who
serve in the Idaho National Guard.
The Idaho Air National Guard at Gowen Field has a long tradition serving in our region
dating back to 1946. With each new generation of aircraft there is the possibility that
Gowen Field will no longer be utilized by the Air Force despite having an ideal climate
for flyable days, access to varied terrain for training, world class facilities, and a lower
environmental impact due to the unencumbered nature of civilian land use. If selected,
the Idaho Air National Guard could expect to see approximately 18-24 F -35s to replace
this same number of A -10s currently stationed at Gowen Field. Aircraft would begin to
arrive in 2021/2022.
This is a critical step for the Treasure Valley in keeping Gowen Field relevant in our
Armed Forces and energized. We support this because we have guard members who
depend on Gowen Field. They are citizen -airmen with full-time jobs and families in our
communities. The close proximity to their work and Gowen Field is important as they
train before and after work throughout the month and drill on weekends to ensure they
meet requirements and are able deploy at a moment's notice.
The economic impact these men and women make is matched by few in the Treasure
Valley and across Idaho. The Idaho Air National Guard employs more than 1,300 full and
part time airmen at Gowen Field and is responsible for over 2,800 direct and indirect
employees across the State. Overall, this represents over $136 million in annual labor
income and over $155 million in total economic impact. When coupled with the fact that
the Idaho National Guard is Idaho's fourth largest employer with 5,255 employees, this is
a major component to that operation.
If Gowen Field is selected as a base for the F -35A, it will further boost Idaho's economy
by bringing additional civilian jobs and opportunities. According to the Utah Defense
Alliance, it didn't take long after Ogden was selected as a base for Lockheed Martin to
open up shop nearby. This kind of potential economic impact is huge for the Valley and
will last for decades.
Demonstrating public support is imperative in senior Air Force leadership decision
making. So the time is now to show we are #GowenStrong. Join us in not only supporting
a critical piece of our economy but also many families in our communities. We support
The Idaho Air National Guard and are honored to be part of our nation's effort in pursing
freedoms.
We ask that you too support the Idaho Air National Guard and Gowen Field with this
effort to have an F-35 base and let our representatives in Congress know that they too
should visibly and vocally support this effort.
To learn more about the mission and/ or share your own support visit gowenstrong.com.
Kelly Aberasturi Tom Dale
Owyhee County Commissioner Canyon County Commissioner
Alicia Almazan
Mayor, Wilder
Chad Bell
Mayor, Star
Dave Bieter
Mayor, Boise
Dave Case
Ada County Commissioner
Tammy de Weerd
Mayor, Meridian
John Evans
Mayor, Garden City
James Ferdinand
Mayor, Marsing
Bob Henry
Mayor, Nampa
Gheen Christoffersen Brad Holton
Mayor, Homedale Mayor, Greenleaf
Nathan Leigh
Mayor, Parma
Garret Nancolas
Mayor, Caldwell
Stan Ridgeway r17 -
Mayor, Eagle
Joe Stear
Mayor, Kuna
Darin Taylor
Mayor, Middleton