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Bill would require F-16s to stay at Eielson AFB

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska’s two U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would forbid the Air Force from transferring F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks.

The Air Force on Friday proposed moving its 21 F-16 fighter jets from Eielson to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in fiscal year 2013, prompting fears the Fairbanks base would be a target for future closure or realignment.

The proposed legislation from Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski would also require the Air Force to have the same number of F-16s or more at Eielson this September, when fiscal year 2013 starts.

The senators, along with Rep. Don Young, plan to discuss the transfer with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz at a Thursday meeting.