The U.S. Air Force is inviting the public’s input on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Pilot Training Center of F-35A aircraft.

The Air Force has not chosen a base yet. Potential locations include:
Boise Air Terminal Airport Air Guard Station, also known as Gowen Field, Idaho;
Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.;
Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.;
and Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Ariz.

The purpose of the proposal is to train pilots and personnel to operate F-35A aircraft. Training would include the use of existing training airspace and ranges, which permit flare countermeasures, supersonic flight and the use of munitions.

To download a copy of the Draft EIS, visit www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com. A paper copy of the document is also available at the following public libraries:

Copper Queen Library
6 Main St.
Bisbee, AZ 85603

Safford City-Graham County Library
808 S. 7th Ave.
Safford, AZ 85546

San Carlos Public Library
89 San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos, AZ 85550

Sierra Vista Public Library
2600 E. Tacoma St.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Valencia Branch Library (only one in Tucson)
202 W. Valencia Road
Tucson, AZ 85706

All comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked or received by March 14, 2012, for consideration in the Final EIS.

Written comments on the Draft EIS may be submitted to:

David Martin, Air Force Contractor, and Kim Fornof
HQ AETC/A7CPP
266 F Street West, Bldg. 901
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4319
Fax: 210-652-5649
Email: aetc.a7cp.inbox@us.af.mil
Written and oral comments may also be submitted in person at the public hearings.

Public Hearings: Three public hearings near Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station will be held to inform the public and receive public comments on the Draft EIS. All hearings include an open house information session from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a presentation and formal public comment session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Representatives from the Air Force will be available during the open house session to provide information and to answer questions related to the Draft EIS.

Date: Feb. 21, 2012
Location: Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
Grand Ballroom
2047 S. Highway 92
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

Date: Feb. 22, 2012
Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Tucson Airport
North Ballroom
4550 S. Palo Verde Road
Tucson, AZ 85714

Date: Feb. 23, 2012
Location: Tucson Jewish Community Center Auditorium
3800 E. River Road
Tucson, AZ 85718

The Draft EIS does say: “On July 29, 2010 the Air Force announced its Preferred Alternative for the Pilot Training Center as 72 F-35A training aircraft at Luke AFB, Arizona. However, no decisions regarding the proposal will be made until after the environmental impact analysis process is complete”.

I blogged about that preliminary decision re: Luke AFB last year (click here).

I hear that the F-35A at 104 decibels is allegedly 4 x as loud as the F-16. If you feel strongly about this issue, do send in a written comment or attend these public hearings to voice your concerns and/or learn more about the F-35A. For more information on noise levels go to Tucson Forward, www.tucsonforward.com.

The info postcard I received from the U.S. Air Force also says that you also seek info from Maj Gabe Johnson, 162nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, TIA Air Guard Station, by calling 520-295-6192.

I wrote about this issue back in February/March (click here) when the open houses about the F-35 were held around Southern Arizona. Having attended the one at Roskruge Elementary School in Tucson, I can attest that the crowd that night (over 200 to 300 people coming and going) was divided between those military personnel who want the F-35 here, and those neighbors who vehemently oppose it and are doubtful that the noise impact would be minimal. Some of those in opposition even asked that the F-35 be temporarily sent here for a one week trial, for people to experience the noise level (up to 104 decibels?) first hand. (See www.tucsonforward.com)

F-35 joint striker jet

Bases where the F -35 will also be stationed: Hill AFB in Utah, Burlington Air Guard Station in Vermont.

So, for now, TIA is not one of the chosen bases, but still may be in the future.

Here’s a copy of the July 29 press release from the Arizona Air National Guard, 162nd fighter wing (http://www.162fw.ang.af.mil/):

“Air Force recommends F-35s for Luke, Tucson still a contender
TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Air Force officials announced today the service’s recommendations for where to base the first F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Though Tucson was not among the three semi-finalist locations, it remains a viable candidate. For F-35 training, the Air Force named Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., as the preferred alternative. As F-35 operational bases, both Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Burlington Air Guard Station, Vt., got nods.

Last October, officials announced the Arizona Air National Guard unit at Tucson International Airport was one of the top five locations under consideration for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training. Six other bases were on a short list for F-35 operations.
The recent announcement indicates the Air Force is narrowing the field, yet a final record of decision is expected for spring of 2011.
“We were certainly hoping to be one of the first bases to get the F-35, but the Air Force’s recommendation to base them at Luke for training is very encouraging,” said Brig. Gen. Greg Stroud, 162nd Fighter Wing commander. “Luke and Tucson enjoy all of the same ingredients that make for perfect pilot training conditions; weather, airspace, ranges and fantastic community support. Our chances for F-35s in the future are as strong as ever.”

In March, the Air Force conducted a series of public scoping meetings in Southern Arizona as part of an F-35 Environmental Impact Statement. According to Stroud, the environmental study will continue as planned and a draft statement will be available for public comment later this year.

“We encourage the community to continue their participation in the F-35 basing process. The study being conducted now will apply when the Air Force takes another look at Tucson as future home for new fighter,” he said.
The three installations recommended today move a step closer to housing the first 250 to 300 F-35s scheduled for delivery through 2019. With a total of 1,763 F-35s scheduled for purchase through 2035, Tucson will have numerous opportunities to host the new jet.

“We train international pilots, and Luke trains active duty U.S. pilots in the F-16. Their need to ramp up F-35 training will come much sooner than our need. By all indications from the Air Force’s survey of our capability to maintain and operate F-35s, we’re a strong possibility in the next round. I’m confident that the F-35 will one day be part of the wing’s mission,” Stroud said.
The F-35 is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battle space of the future. In the Air Force, the F-35 will primarily service an air-to-ground role; replace aging F-16 and A-10 aircraft while complementing the F-22. The Navy and Marine Corps plan on using the F-35, along with international partners.

The Arizona Air National Guard has flown fighters from its base in Tucson since 1956 when the unit flew the Korean War era F-86A. Through six decades and seven different fighter aircraft the unit has served in air sovereignty and fighter training missions. The last time a new aircraft came to the wing was in 1985 when the unit accepted its first F-16 Fighting Falcon.”

The event notice says it is to “Learn how loud the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet is and why there are few fixes if it is based in Tucson, the mitigation myth, what you should ask for, and what you can do.”

F-35 jet

The Ward 6 office is located at the SE corner of E. 1st and Anderson Blvd, one block east of N. Country Club, one block south of E. Speedway.

For information in opposition to the F-35, see www.tucsonforward.com. The website says this newly-formed Tucson Forward group’s mission is “defending our community from the F-35.”

I also received an email from Ward 6 office informing us that Davis Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB) will be hosting “open house” meetings to report on the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) related to the F-35 mission being proposed for Tucson International Airport (TIA).
Here is a schedule of those upcoming meetings, from March 1 to 5, all 6 to 9 p.m.

1-Mar 2010
Sunnyside High School Foyer/Auditorium
1725 E. Bilby Road
Tucson, AZ 85706

2-Mar 2010
San Carlos High School Cafeteria
Milepost 270 Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550

3-Mar 2010
Eastern Arizona College
Gila/Galiuro Room, Activities Center
1014 N. College Avenue
Thatcher, AZ 85552

4-Mar 2010
Bisbee High School Cafeteria
475 School Terrace Road
Bisbee, AZ 85603

5-Mar 2010
Roskruge Elementary School Auditorium
501 E. Sixth Street
Tucson, AZ 85705

For additional information in support of Davis Monthan’s F-35 project entitled Tucson Lightning– “intended to give Southern Arizonans a vehicle to voice their support for the proposed F-35 Lightning II training mission for the 162nd Fighter Wing at the airport” visit their link: http://www.162fw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123187221. New website for pro-F35 is http://www.tucsonf35.com/

It may be time to find out more about this F-35 jet, and what it’s impact on Tucson will be. Attend these meetings to inform yourselves and your neighbors. Hopefully all your questions will be answered.

3/5/10 update: If you missed these meetings, send your input by April 5 to:
Mr. David Martin
HQ AETC/A7C
266 F Street West, Bldg 901
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4319
FAX: 210-652-4266
Copies of the comment form can be downloaded at www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com.

7/30/10 UPDATE: Luke AFB in Glendale selected over TIA: http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/07/30/f-35-to-be-flying-at-luke-afb-not-tia/