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United States Pilots Association |
USPA has consistently taken a position opposing the grabbing of airspace in various parts of the country for exotic and sometimes ridiculous reasons. The recent attempt to consolidate MOAs in central New Mexico is an excellent example. The Air Force wanted to create a supersonic bombing range for F-16s carrying JDAMs which had it been implemented would have required massive diversions of civilian traffic, movement of a jet airway, and numerous other inconveniences. I am pleased to advise that this idea was terminated after numerous "scoping" meetings and environmental studies. The Base Realignment commission (BRAC) came in and pulled all of the F-16s out of Cannon, ultimately negating the need for the airspace. I'll check this as one in the win column for General Aviation and USPA in conjunction with the New Mexico Pilots Association.
The BRAC commission gave the Air Force until 2009 to find another use for Cannon or the base would close. Apparently they have found another use.
On September 13th I received a letter dated 9/11/06 advising that a transfer of the AFSOC (Special Operations Command) assets consisting primarily of some 90 aircraft and 3500 men would commence. The scoping hearings were to be held September 18th, 19th, and 20th in three cities in eastern New Mexico. In other words, the public (us) were given from Wednesday to the following Monday to prepare for this enormous undertaking. NMPA was not even directly notified. When the government acts this way, I begin to smell a coverup.
I am advised that SOC operates C-130 aircraft among others and probably would have no use for high altitude restricted airspace. I do believe some of their aircraft are AC-130 "Spooky" type gunships which can spray a huge amount of heavy ordinance into a concentrated area. The advantages in coming into the high desert and mountainous terrain of New Mexico are obvious. Assuming those 90 aircraft are going to be flying, one can imagine the additional traffic at lower altitudes civilian pilots will have to deal with. The same problems that caused USPA to oppose the supersonic bombing runs are still here two years later: poor radio communications below 10000 feet and no radar in many of the affected areas.
We cannot blindly oppose the use of Cannon without knowing all of the facts. If you fly in New Mexico or West Texas, I strongly suggest you read the attachments and contact the Environmental Branch Chief, George Ormley, at his address at Hurlburt field in Florida. Ask for copies of the scoping proposal to be sent to you. After reading and digesting the information, send your comments to Mr. Ormley. You will be helping your fellow pilots, plus you will be informed as to the details of this proposal.
Steve Uslan, President
United States Pilots Association
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