BRAC Environmental Impact Statement Published Aug. 19, 2008 By 006208 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- -- Air Force officials here have announced they are continuing to study public comments concerning Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC)-mandated actions. As a result, decisions on how to implement those mandates will not be made until later this fall. According to Bob Arnold, Chairman, Eglin Mission Enhancement Committee, "the Air Force is taking the concerns of the community very seriously. We are working with due diligence to ensure all public comments are taken into account." The 2005 BRAC process mandated the completion of two significant actions here by Sept. 15, 2011 - the realignment of the U.S. Army's 7th Special Forces Group from Ft. Bragg, N.C., and the establishment of the country's first integrated joint training site for the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Public involvement has been, and continues to be, an essential component to the Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis process. Arnold added that "the beddown of the JSF is very complex and challenging - it's the first time the Air Force has been directed by BRAC to standup an Integrated Joint Training Site for an aircraft that is still in development. Since the public hearing on the draft EIS, the Air Force has been taking a hard look at everyone's inputs. This process has taken longer than originally anticipated, but this is not surprising given the complexities involved and the number of comments we have received." The next major step in the process will be the publication of the Final EIS (FEIS) which will include the Air Force's responses to the comments received on the Draft EIS (DEIS). Throughout this process public input has been welcomed and encouraged. Anyone who wishes to be on the mailing list to receive a final copy of the EIS, please contact Mike Spaits at 882-2878.