F-35 EIS PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS START FEB. 13 AT WIGWAM

Air Force officials have announced that the draft F-35A Training Aircraft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is now available for public comment.

Luke Air Force Base in July 2010 was designated as the Air Force’s “preferred alternative” (out of four sites) for the Pilot Training Center with 72 F-35A aircraft, but no decision was made pending completion of a full environmental impact process. The four sites are Boise Air Terminal Air Guard Station, Idaho; Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Luke AFB, Ariz.; and Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Ariz..

Public-comment sessions will be held in the local area for citizens in the community to provide feedback that will help identify key environmental issues potentially affected by the Air Force’s F-35A training basing proposal. The full document is available for review at www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com.

Citizens are encouraged to support the proposal in one of several ways:

l. Mail/fax/email written comments by March 14 to David Martin & 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.

2. Participate in the Luke Forward electronic postcard feature at http://LukeForward.com.

3. Attend one of the following public hearings, which begin at 5 p.m. at each location:

Mon., Feb. 13 – Wigwam Resort ballroom, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park
Tues., Feb. 14 – El Mirage Elementary School gymnasium, 13500 N. El Mirage Rd., El Mirage
Wed., Feb. 15 – Sundial Recreation Center auditorium, 14801 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City
Thurs., Feb. 16 – Gila Bend Unified School Dist. Cafeteria, 308 N. Martin Ave., Gila Bend