SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The U.S. Air Force is holding public, drop-in, open house scoping meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to solicit comments on the proposed beddown of the KC-46A Third Main Operating Base (MOB 3) mission. The MOB 3 mission includes the basing of 12 KC-46Aaircraft, facilities and infrastructure, and manpower at a USAF installation within the continental United States where the Air Force Reserve Command leads a Mobility Air Force mission. The purpose of the MOB 3 mission is to provide a fully capable, combat operational KC-46A aerial refueling squadron to accomplish aerial refueling and related missions. The public scoping meetings will be arranged in a “come and go” open house format with no formal USAF presentation or opportunity for public testimony. Written comments will be accepted.
The USAF has identified Seymour Johnson AFB as the preferred alternative with Grissom ARB, Tinker AFB, and Westover ARB as reasonable alternatives. The KC-46AMOB 3 mission could be an additive or replacement mission, depending on where the aircraft are located. Along with the No Action Alternative, all four bases will be evaluated as alternatives in the EIS.
The KC-46Aaircraft will replace the aging tanker fleet. With more refueling capacity, improved efficiency, and increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation, the KC-46A will provide aerial refueling support to the USAF, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as allied nation coalition force aircraft.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the USAF will analyze potential environmental consequences associated with basing the KC-46Atanker at each alternative location. A No Action Alternative (not basing the MOB 3 mission at any installation) will also be examined. No location will be selected for the MOB 3 mission until after the EIS is complete. More information can be obtained from the project website at www.KC46Abeddown.com.
In order to effectively define the full range of issues to be evaluated in the EIS, the USAF will determine the scope (i.e., what will be covered and in what detail) by soliciting comments from interested state and federal agencies and interested members of the public through the Federal Register and various media in the local communities near the installations. To further solicit input regarding the scope of the proposed action and alternatives, the USAF will also hold a series of scoping meetings between 5:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. on the following dates:
12 April 2016 Westover ARB, Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, MA 01020
14 April 2016 Seymour Johnson AFB, Herman Park Center, 901 East Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C. 27530
19 April 2016 Grissom ARB, Milestone Event Center, 1458 North Liberator Rd., Peru, IN 46970
21 April 2016 Tinker AFB, Sheraton Midwest City Hotel and Reed Conference Center, 57050 Will Rodgers Rd., Midwest City, OK 73110
The scoping meetings will be in the format of an open house information session, and the public can drop in at any time. The open house session is an opportunity for community members to learn more about the beddown of the KC-46AMOB 3 mission and speak with USAF personnel one-on-one. All members of the public are invited. Public comments are encouraged. Public input supports the USAF in making more informed decisions.
Scoping comments can be submitted to the website or to the address below by the date indicated. 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 analysis process, to ensure consideration in the Draft EIS, public input must be received by 25 April 2016. People wishing to mail comments or obtain further information should contact:
Mr. Hamid Kamalpour
U.S. Air Force, AFCEC/CZN
2261 Hughes Ave, Ste 155
Lackland AFB, Texas 78236-9853