PHOENIX (AZFamily)—The U.S. Air Force is proposing major changes to airspace above some residential areas in Arizona.
They say this request addresses existing and future training deficiencies due to insufficient airspace available to aircrews stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Luke Air Force Base, and Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona. In other words, they need more room.
The change would lower existing training airspace in our state by lowering the floor of the lowest altitude allowed to fly at 500 feet above ground level and allowing supersonic operations and sonic booms as low as 5,000 feet in parts of Eastern and Northwestern Arizona.
This also includes authorizing the use of chaff and lowering the minimum release altitude for flares.
The changes would affect ten of their Military Operations Areas, including areas near Superior, Globe, Ajo and more.
While the Air Force said this is necessary to help with training, some residents in Gold Canyon have expressed their concerns.
“It’s kind of disturbing. I’m very concerned about the impact to our community and the surrounding community,” Carol Wanders said.
The Air Force will take public comments on the changes. The next virtual public hearing is on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
The public can submit comments at the remaining public hearings, via the website, or by mail until Oct. 9, 2024. The full list of in-person and virtual public hearings can be found on the project website.
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Publish date : 2024-09-05 20:16:00
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