Commissioners oppose Air Force training initiative
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Proposed changes by the U.S. Air Force in 2004 to training airspace for Shaw AFB 20th Fighter Wing and McEntire Air National Guard pilots could become a reality. The Jenkins County Commissioners received notification last week from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration that the Air Force is proceeding with its plans.

The possibility of a negative impact on the local airports in affected counties, Jenkins, Burke, Jefferson and Emanuel, prompted the commission's decision during their Tuesday, Dec. 18, meeting to draft a resolution opposing the initiative that would lower the present floor of training activities from 11,000 feet above ground level to only 500 feet above ground level. The commissioners will also consult surrounding counties to see how they plan to respond to the matter.

Information received by the commissioners indicates that training exercises would be scheduled 240 days per year, Monday through Friday, for an average of approximately eight hours per day spread out over morning, afternoon and evening hours with occasional light usage on the weekends for up to two hours per day on Saturday and/or Sunday. The times of use would be from 8 a.m. until midnight.

When the plans were first announced in 2004, local aviators, plane owners and other interested citizens from the affected counties gathered with representatives from the Air Force at a community outreach meeting at the Millen Community House seeking information on the matter. At that time Air Force personnel explained that the proposed initiative would include the development of several one-acre training transmitter sites under and near current military airspace and use of chaff and flares in the new and modified airspace, in addition to lowering floor levels of training activities.

At that time aviators expressed the opinion that the initiative would discourage industrialization of the area and impair efforts to develop local airports.

In October 2005, Air Force personnel again met with local citizens during a public hearing at the Jenkins County Agriculture Center to discuss the results of an environmental impact study on the initiative that reviewed issues such as noise impact on wildlife, air quality, water quality and impact on historic structures. Air Force officials reported that the results of the study showed "minimal" effects. Several local residents, however, disputed the information and suggested that there were more suitable areas for training exercises over the Atlantic Ocean.

Anyone who would like to express their opinion on the proposed initiative should do so in writing by Jan. 26, 2008 to: HQ ACC/A7ZP, Attn: Ms. Linda DeVine, 129 Andrews Street, Suite 102, Langley Air Force Base, VA 23665-2769.

Comments or recommendations regarding the effect that this proposal may have on aeronautical activity should be submitted by Jan. 26, 2008 to: Federal Aviation Administration, ATO, Eastern Service Center, Attn: AJO2-E2C.2, P. O. Box 20636, Atlanta, GA 30320.