Department of the Air Force June 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The United States Air Force is issuing this NOA to announce that a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing the proposed transformation of the 49th Fighter Wing (49 FW) at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico is available for review. The Draft EA addresses the potential environmental consequences of a proposal to transform the combat capability of the 49th Fighter Wing and maximize the use of available infrastructure at Holloman AFB by replacing the retiring F- 117A aircraft and T-38A aircraft supporting the F-117A mission with two new F-22A squadrons. The transformation would enhance the low observable, precision weapons system capability of the 49th Fighter Wing. The Draft EA is issued in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508); and the Air Force's Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP) (Air Force Instruction 32-7061 as promulgated at 32 CFR 989). The Draft EA analyzes the following actions at Holloman AFB: 1. Retire F-117A and T-38A aircraft currently based at Holloman AFB. 2. Beddown and operate two F-22A aircraft squadrons. 3. Renovate existing facilities and construct new facilities to support the F-22A squadrons. 4. Adjust base manning to reflect F-22A beddown requirements. 5. Conduct F-22A training routinely in airspace within 100 miles of Holloman AFB, to include supersonic operations. 6. Create on Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) and modify the Cowboy ATCAA. 7. Expand chaff and flare use in military airspace. Alternative airspace training and the No Action Alternative are addressed in the Draft EA. The Draft EA is available for review at the following: Online at https://www.a7zpintegratedplanning.org; Alamogordo Public Library, Artesia Public Library, Branigan Memorial Library, Carlsbad Municipal Library, Cloudcroft Library, Dona Ana Community College Library, El Paso Community College-Rio Grande Campus Library and Transmountain Campus Library, El Paso Public Library, Las Cruces Public Library, New Mexico State University Branson Library, New Mexico State University Alamogordo Library, Ruidoso Public Library, Truth or Consequences Public Library, Village of Carrizozo, Holloman AFB Library, National Technical Information Service, and Mescalero Community Library; or you may also request a copy of the Draft EA from Holloman AFB Public Affairs at 505-572-5406.