Enviros Slam Air Force’s Supersonic Flight Plan Over Southern Arizona’s Protected Lands

Environmental advocates from Arizona and New Mexico have expressed strong opposition to a U.S. Air Force proposal that would lower the altitude for supersonic flights and increase nighttime training missions across multiple military training ranges. These groups warn the changes pose significant risks to delicate ecosystems in the region.

The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, among other organizations, has urged the Air Force to limit the use of flares and chaff at the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range. This expansive 1.9 million-acre section of the Sonoran Desert is already heavily utilized for various training operations, including bombing and aerial combat exercises.

In January 2022, the Air Force sought approval to allow supersonic flight training as low as 5,000 feet over extensive training areas, which also overlap with populated regions in Arizona. Currently, such flights are restricted to a minimum altitude of 30,000 feet, raising safety and noise concerns among local residents.

Due to the revised measurement standards, jets could potentially break the sound barrier 10,000 to 20,000 feet closer to the ground over significant portions of Arizona. Additionally, the proposed changes would permit pilots to release flares from lower altitudes and deploy chaff—a radar-hindering material—in one area of Southeastern Arizona.

Critics, including environmental organizations focused on the preservation of the Chiricahuas and Gila Wilderness, argue that these modifications would increase noise pollution and the frequency of sonic booms in rural and tribal areas. They emphasize that the military should not impose these risks on local communities, especially in ecologically fragile regions.

The affected Military Operations Areas (MOAs) include those named Outlaw, Jackal, Morenci, Tombstone, and Reserve, with potential supersonic limits dropping from 30,000 feet to 5,000 feet above the ground. The Tombstone MOA, in particular, spans Bisbee, Arizona, and extends into southwestern New Mexico, encompassing much of the Chiricahua Wilderness.

Environmental leaders point out that this plan could disrupt the natural environment significantly. Allyson Siwik, executive director of the Gila Conservation Coalition, highlighted that sensitive ecosystems and wilderness areas must be protected from the additional noise and disturbances associated with military training.

Todd Schulke, co-founder of the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for inflating the operational needs, suggesting it misrepresents the impending phasing out of the A-10 aircraft by including their flight analysis.

The Air Force plans to retire 78 A-10s, transitioning to newer combat aircraft. Schulke insists that there’s no justification for not continuing high-risk training at the Barry M. Goldwater Range, already designated for such activities.

Information requests under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed frustrations among environmental advocates, who accuse the Air Force of lacking transparency. Karen Fasimpaur, a volunteer with Peaceful Chiricahua Skies, noted the refusal to hold public hearings in key areas profoundly affected by the proposed plans.

With the draft EIS released on August 9, public comments are being accepted until October 9, 2023. The Air Force has conducted several informational meetings, but no further ones are planned.

The proposed changes would primarily impact MOAs associated with Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Luke Air Force Base. The Air Force asserts that current training limitations necessitate oversights that impede effective pilot training, thus warranting the requested adjustments.

In addition to lowering altitude limits, the plan proposes to extend operational hours for training flights and permit nighttime operations without lights. The changes would ultimately allow for more comprehensive military exercises to meet modern training requirements.

Concerns also extend to public safety, with recent accidents involving training aircraft underscoring the risks associated with military operations in the region. As the Air Force considers these sweeping changes, the push from environmental groups continues to amplify, demanding a more careful balance between military preparedness and ecological preservation.