Protect Rural and Tribal Communities and Wilderness from Combat Training
U.S. Air Force
The United States Air Force is proposing to modify ten existing Military Operations Areas (MOAs) that stretch across southern Arizona into southwest New Mexico as part of their Special Use Optimization Strategy to expand low-elevation combat training.
The plan will authorize thousands of additional low-elevation fighter jet maneuvers and low-elevation supersonic flights that cause sonic booms and impact dozens of rural communities, affect 30 tribes and pueblos with traditional ties to the area, and subject millions of acres of federal public lands to increased noise, pollution, and risk of fire.
In some areas, the flight floor for supersonic speeds (747.9+ mph) that cause sonic booms would be lowered from 30,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) to 5,000 feet AGL resulting in a five-fold increase in the sonic boom pressure on those below. Fighter jets would be authorized to fly as low as 100 feet above ground level (AGL) at speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour.
Tell the Air Force that expanding military combat training over rural communities and tribal and public lands is not acceptable!
The Air Force should restrict its lower elevation and supersonic flights, and other combat training, such as dropping chaff and flares, to the Barry M. Goldwater Range where it’s already happening.
The Air Force must not shift the burden of risk to rural and tribal communities in southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico.
NEW DEADLINE! Please submit your comments by November 12. Sign the letter below and add your personalized comments. Your comments will be delivered to the Air Force by the deadline.
More Information:
Peaceful Gila Skies is a coalition of business owners, community leaders, sportsmen, veterans, concerned citizens, and conservation groups -- Center for Biological Diversity, Gila Conservation Coalition, Gila Resources Information Project, Heart of the Gila, and New Mexico Wild -- united in our opposition to the expansion of military training over the Gila region.
To:
U.S. Air Force
From:
[Your Name]
I oppose the Air Force's proposal to expand military combat training over southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico.
This proposed action will severely harm rural and tribal communities, public lands, wildlife and the environment, and local economies.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement fails to offer a compelling reason why expanding low altitude combat training and lowering supersonic flight levels is warranted when the Barry M. Goldwater Range could provide all of its training needs with the addition of weekend scheduling.
The Air Force should restrict its lower elevation and supersonic flights, and other combat training, such as dropping chaff and flares, to the Barry M. Goldwater Range where it’s already happening.
The Air Force must not shift the burden of risk to rural and tribal communities in southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico.
Thank you for consideration of my comments.
