It was to do with runway length. The USAF wont allow use of FRG because they feel 32/14 is "too short" at FRG for the T-Bird F-16s.
The F16C has a takeoff length of about 1,750 feet and landing distance of 2,650 with an external load. (
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/fighter/f16/).
32/14 at FRG is 6,833 feet. Longest at ISP? 7,000 feet.
So total difference between FRG and ISP? 200 feet. Hmmmmmm.
Now....200 feet is a lot of valuable space in an emergency, no doubt. But given both runways at FRG and ISP are well beyond whats needed for the F16C for takeoff and landing, the F16 has that big GE F100 engine, the arresting gear would be in place, and 32/14 at FRG has EMAS, the fact they wont use FRG seems weird to me.
What am I missing?