Local opinion: Support for Air Force range expansion plans
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writers:
Recently, concerns have been raised over the U.S. Air Force's plans to increase low-altitude and supersonic operations in Southern Arizona, suggesting a lack of transparency in the planning process. The impact of these changes to airspace is documented in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) issued in August of this year. As part of the EIS process, the Air Force held a series of public meetings during a public scoping period in early 2022. A public comment period was opened this past summer and included nine in-person meetings throughout Southern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico, two virtual meetings, and an opportunity to provide written comments. The window for public comment was extended until mid-November to provide ample opportunity for community feedback.
We would like to offer some clarity regarding the expressed concerns.
First, the proposals do not call for increasing the frequency or lowering the altitudes of military flights over the Tucson area. The proposed changes are for airspace over sparsely populated land north of Sierra Vista and into New Mexico. These changes are important because the Air Force must have realistic, reliable training to prepare its aircrews to operate in an increasingly complex security environment. The training areas available to these pilots were originally laid out decades ago. Since then, new aircraft and weapons systems have become vastly more capable and require more expansive training areas.
It's impossible to overstate the importance of Southern Arizona to Air Force training missions. Pilots from Tucson's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Morris Air National Guard Base fly across the region every day. These pilots are building proficiency in every element of operating their aircraft. Their operations are constrained by U.S. Air Force regulations and agreements with the FAA, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and Native American tribes.
One notable change would authorize supersonic flights at lower levels in some areas. These areas do not include the Tucson area. That will lead to increased levels of noise over these sparsely inhabited areas, but the EIS has shown they will not be at a level to cause risk to humans, livestock, or animals. It is important to note that these flights will still be a mile or more in the air; no one is proposing supersonic flights near the ground. This training is necessary in preparation for conflict with a near-peer adversary who would find it easier to target high-level overflights with ground defenses or fighter jets.
The Air Force is committed to being a good steward of the environment and a good neighbor, always striving to maintain mutually beneficial relationships with the citizens and tribes of Arizona. The following civilian support organizations wholeheartedly support these proposed actions as they will improve our US Air Force's readiness and ability to defend our nation.
Jay Beckley is president of DM50. Wally Saeger is president of the AFA Tucson Chapter 105. Robert Medler is chair of the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance. Darren Long, USAF (ret.), is vice chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, Tucson Metro Chamber.
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