SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The U.S. Air Force is holding public hearings to invite public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the KC-46A Pegasus aircraft Third Main Operating Base Beddown. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act , the USAF has prepared the environmental study in the form of a Draft EIS, which is currently available for public review and comment. The hearing venues will open at 5 p.m. The hearings will start with a USAF presentation and an opportunity for public testimony before a hearing officer and a court reporter. Written comments will also be accepted.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina has been identified as the Preferred Alternative for the KC-46A MOB 3 mission with Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and Westover ARB, Massachusetts considered as reasonable alternatives for the MOB 3 mission. Along with the No-Action Alternative , these alternatives were fully evaluated in the Draft EIS. The MOB 3 mission involves the basing of 12 KC-46A aircraft in one squadron. The squadron of KC-46A aircraft will require infrastructure, facilities, airfield operations, training activities, personnel, and airspace to support worldwide refueling, cargo, or aeromedical evacuation missions. At Grissom ARB, Seymour Johnson AFB and Tinker AFB, the MOB 3 would be a replacement mission for the existing KC-135 Stratoanker aircraft mission. At Westover ARB, the KC-46A MOB 3 mission would be a new mission in addition to the existing C-5 Galaxy aircraft mission which would remain unchanged. In addition, KC-46A aircrews from Seymour Johnson AFB would continue to use the Kinston Regional Jetport as an auxiliary airfield as is currently being used by KC-135 aircrews.
The KC-46A aircraft will replace a portion of the aging tanker fleet. With more refueling capacity and enhanced capabilities, improved efficiency, and increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation, the KC-46A will provide aerial refueling support to the USAF, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as allied-nation coalition force aircraft.
Pursuant to NEPA, the Draft EIS analyzes the potential environmental consequences associated with basing the KC-46A at each MOB 3 alternative base. The No-Action alternative , which would not beddown KC-46A aircraft at any base, is also examined. More information can be obtained from the project web site at www.KC-46A-beddown.com.
The USAF is soliciting comments on the Draft EIS from interested members of the public as well as interested federal, state, and local agencies and others. Public input is vital in supporting the USAF in making informed decisions, and no action will be taken until after a Final EIS and Record of Decision are published. The USAF will hold public hearings to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the proposal and to provide input. The public hearing venues will open at 5 p.m. and begin at 5:30 p.m. The hearing will start with a USAF presentation, followed by formal public testimony beginning at approximately 6:15 p.m. The hearing will conclude at 8 p.m. All members of the public are invited. Public comments are encouraged. Public input supports the USAF in making more informed decisions. Dates for each hearing are:
Dec. 6, 2016 Tinker AFB Sheraton Midwest City Hotel and Reed Conference Center,
5750 Will Rodgers Rd., Midwest City, OK 73110
Dec. 8, 2016 Grissom ARB Milestone Event Center, 1458 North Liberator Rd., Peru, IN 46970
Dec. 13, 2016 Westover ARB Westover Airport, 255 Padgette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020
Dec. 15, 2016
Seymour Johnson AFB
Herman Park Center, 901 East Ash St., Goldsboro, NC 27530
During the presentation, the USAF will describe the proposed action and alternatives, the purpose and reasoning behind the proposed KC-46A MOB 3 beddown, the NEPA process and summarize the Draft Environmental Impact Statement findings. The public comment period will then begin; oral public comments will be transcribed by a court reporter.
The Draft EIS is available for download from the following website: www.KC-46A-beddown.com and may be reviewed in hardcopy format at the following libraries:
GRISSOM ARB
• Peru Public Library, 102 East Main, Peru, IN 46970
• Kokomo-Howard County Public Library Main, 220 N. Union, Kokomo, IN 46901
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB
• Wayne County Public Library, 1001 E Ash St., Goldsboro, NC 27530
• Seymour Johnson AFB Library, 1520 Goodson St., Bldg. 3660, NC 27531
TINKER AFB
• Midwest City Public Library, 8143 E. Reno Ave., Midwest City, OK 73110-7589
• Del City Library, 4509 SE. 15th St., Del City, OK 73115
• Tinker AFB Library, 6120 Arnold St., Bldg. 5702, Tinker AFB, OK 73145
WESTOVER ARB
• Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013
• Ludlow Public Library, 24 Center St., Ludlow, MA 01056
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• South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal St., South Hadley, MA 01075
Comments on the Draft EIS can be submitted electronically at www.KC-46A-beddown.com, orally or in writing at public hearings, or by providing written comments to the contact information listed below. As a convenience for those sending comments by mail, a comment form is available on the website to help expedite your submission. Although comments will be accepted throughout the Draft EIS review period, to ensure consideration in the Final EIS, public input must be received by Jan. 2, 2017.People wishing to mail comments or obtain further information should send them to:
Mr. Hamid Kamalpour
United States Air Force, AFCEC/CZN
2261 Hughes Avenue, Suite 155,
JBSA Lackland, TX 78236-9853
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