Draft Environmental Assessment for Total Force Training Released

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Courtney Richardson
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz --  Col. James Meger, 355th Fighter Wing Commander, announced the release of the revised draft Environmental Assessment for Total Force Training formerly known as Operation Snowbird, Sept 22.

"Specifically, the assessment examines the environmental impacts of public safety, air quality, cultural resources, social economics, air space and noise," said Meger.

The EA was initiated in 2010 when the 162nd Fighter Wing released their new training plan 60-1.

"Operation Snowbird was originally created for northern tier units to come down and train in the fair weather conditions in Tucson," Meger said.

As national security increased, there were additional requirements mandated by senior leaders. To fill them, the 355th FW began hosting other units here, including some international partners.

"The beauty of D-M is the location," Meger said. "It offers access to training ranges and it has that perfect ideal climate that sits right here throughout the entire year."

Although the base has been made available for training, the majority of flight operations here fall under the 355th FW.

The EA release initiates a 30-day public comment period, which ends October 23.  Public comments submitted by that date will be considered before the United States Air Force makes any determinations on the proposal.

"The Secretary of the Air Force for installations will look at all the public comments and everything else, and will determine whether or not they need to do a further look, or they will accept the current recommendation which is in there (the EA) as a finding of no significant impact," Meger said.

To view the draft EA or to make a public comment for official records visit http://www.dm.af.mil/library/tftea.asp.

"I want to thank everyone involved, specifically the Tucson community for their support and their participation in this endeavor," Meger said.