A. The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is proposing to expand the FMS PTC at Ebbing Air National Guard (ANG) Base, Arkansas with an additional 12 F-35 aircraft. After the 2023 FMS PTC EIS ROD was signed, additional FMS nation partner participation in the F-35 enterprise resulted in newly established Letters of Offer and Acceptance with the DAF, effectively creating additional F-35 FMS training partners. The additional FMS nation partners and associated training timelines exceed the current 24 F-35 limit. Therefore, the DAF needs additional F-35 capacity to expand beyond 24 F-35 at Ebbing ANG Base, as authorized in the 2023 FMS PTC EIS ROD, to meet the new requirements. Agencies are required to prepare a supplement to an EIS if there are substantial changes to the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns.

A. The SEIS Proposed Action involves the following:

• The beddown of an additional 12 foreign F-35 aircraft, for a total of 36 F-35 and 12 F-16 aircraft at Ebbing ANG Base
• New facility construction to support the additional 12 F-35 aircraft
• Additional personnel would also accompany the aircraft
• Additional flight training within established airspace
• There are no proposed changes to airspace

A. FAA has jurisdiction by law and special expertise relating to the DAF’s proposal at Fort Smith Regional Airport. FAA authorities and special expertise are based on its statutory responsibilities under the Airport and Airway Improvement Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-254), and relevant implementing regulations. FAA is also responsible for providing leadership in planning and developing a safe and efficient national airport system and satisfying the needs of aviation interests of the U.S., with due consideration for economics, the environment, local proprietary rights, and safeguarding the public investment. This includes oversight and administration of airport planning and development, airport noise compatibility planning, safety of airport operations, protection of airspace on and immediately adjacent to an airport and environmental reviews of airport improvement projects.

A. The DAF will not be holding scoping meetings for the Ebbing FMS PTC SEIS, as scoping is not required for a SEIS [32 CFR 989.20(b)] but will accept comments during the Draft SEIS public comment period. The DAF anticipates the Draft SEIS review period will occur during the late Summer through early Fall of 2025. Public hearings are planned for the Summer of 2025.