Air Force determining LATA training needs

In September 2011, the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base released a Draft Environmental Assessment analyzing the potential impacts of conducting low-altitude flying training in Colorado and New Mexico. The need for the low-altitude training still exists, however, emerging training requirements based on lessons learned in Afghanistan as well as training requirements identified in the 2007 "Air Force Special Operations Command Assets Beddown at Cannon AFB" Environmental Impact Statement now overlap with the need for the proposed low-altitude training.

In light of these emerging training requirements and the many public comments received on the Draft Environmental Assessment, the Air Force is evaluating whether or not a more detailed analysis is appropriate.

Currently, the Air Force is refining its special operations flying training requirements. Once these requirements are fully defined, the Air Force will determine the appropriate environmental analysis, including whether it should transition to an Environmental Impact Statement. At this point, we expect to make that determination in early 2013.

The Air Force received comments from approximately 1,600 people, agencies and organizations during the Draft Environmental Assessment public comment period in late 2011 and thanks all citizens, tribes, pueblos, federal, local and state agencies, elected officials and private organizations for their inputs.

The Air Force remains committed to being good stewards of the environment and good neighbors, which includes utilizing the National Environmental Policy Act analysis process to make well-informed decisions.