ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. — Air Force spokesman Claude Morse waved a hand toward acres of green Tennessee landscape Tuesday and explained how some see the land as a perfect spot to train thousands of airmen for future combat duties.
Arnold Air Force Base, home of Air Force jet engine testing since 1951, is one of three sites being considered for the Common Battlefield Training Program, a 25-day, year-round combat course that would bring more than 14,000 airmen through the base annually and add up to 800 permanent jobs on base.
“Along with being the Bible Belt, this is also the patriotic belt. Everyone I know is supportive of our airmen being able to protect themselves in combat,” said Jerry Mansfield, president of the Arnold Community Council, a 10-county coalition that has spearheaded efforts to bring the training program to Arnold.
Mr. Mansfield noted the area is “steeped in history,” with Maj. Gen. George Patton’s 2nd Armored Division training here before going overseas to fight in World War II.
Arnold’s 40,000 acres of land and existing firing ranges give the base an advantage over Moody Air Force Base near Valdosta, Ga. and Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, La., Mr. Mansfield and others said.
“If they said tomorrow that CBAT was coming we could have it up and running in a 30-day period. We’ve already got the range, the training grounds are in place, we have the barracks,” said Coffee County Mayor David Pennington.
Residents and leaders from more than 10 surrounding counties see a twofold opportunity if Arnold is chosen for the CBAT program — a chance to further support the Air Force mission and also reap the benefits of potential jobs, stores, hotels and money for local infrastructure improvements.
“Anytime an area can grow their population it’s valuable,” said Diane Bryant, executive director of the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce.
The three-phase program could start groundwork as early as 2009 and be fully operational by FY2014, according to an Air Force environmental impact report and to Mr. Morse.
“When you take 800 full-time jobs and $80 million in construction those figures multiply rapidly,” Ms. Bryant said of the impact the program would have on Tullahoma and surrounding communities. U.S. Census figures for 2006 show Tullahoma with 18,000 residents and Coffee County with about 51,000.
Beyond retail, Tullahoma Mayor Troy Bisby sees the training program as an opportunity to press the state for infrastructure improvements.
Mr. Bisby pointed to a road-widening project on Cedar Lane, a street that connects U.S. Highway 41 and state Route 55, which could see major retail development if the training program arrives. Improving the street is crucial to growing retail near the base in Tullahoma, he said.
Mr. Bisby stressed that the school system’s ability to absorb new students and having a major road such as Interstate 24 nearby are major selling points for Tullahoma.
Where many see enormous potential for the area, the long-haul nature of working with government projects has required sustained interest. Mr. Bisby credited the Arnold Community Council for keeping everyone focused on the project.
Mr. Mansfield said the council has kept in constant communication with all involved to keep up energy on the two-year project.
Mr. Morse said site selection should have been decided in January, but was sidelined when Air Force officials decided to change some CBAT training details. Now most involved anticipate an announcement from the Air Force by the end of the year, he said.
The Tennessee Army National Guard has operated small-arms and machine gun firing ranges on Arnold in partnership with the base for decades, Mr. Morse said. The site’s automated ranges and room for expansion give the base a concentrated area to train airmen.
Nearby land could house new barracks and classroom facilities, keeping housing, training and field work sites within walking distance for CBAT participants.
Ms. Bryant, Mayor Pennington and others likened CBAT to the recent announcement of a Volkswagen manufacturing plant coming to Chattanooga. The project may be smaller, but for a largely rural area the impact could be just as big, she said.
