Still Opposed to Low-Level Supersonic Aircraft in Idaho’s Owyhee Desert

(8 Nov. 2019 / Author: Tim Bondy) After attending the 8 Nov. 2019, environmental impact study scoping meeting in Mountain Home, Idaho, I am still opposed to the “proposal” put forth by the United States Air Force and/or the Department of Defense (DoD). However, my opposition is less strenuous after asking questions and getting answers at the meeting.  

To understand my original thoughts on why I was (I still am) opposed to changing the airspace rules and regulation, please read my post titled “Nope” on Sharing the Owyhees With LOWAT Supersonic Fighters Aircraft. 

1. Why my Opinion Changed Slightly After the Meeting

The simple answer is … more data. I was able to ask questions, get answers and clarification from actual USAF F-15 pilots who regularly fly the “ranges” south of Mountain Home, Idaho. My opinions on this issue are not based on emotions. They are based strictly on facts and my experience/knowledge of the range, my travels in the Owyhee Desert and what is best for the owners of our public lands in this isolated section of the U.S. 

2. What Changed 

By far the most important issue to me is the “proposal” for lowering the floor for supersonic flights in the Owyhee North and Jarbidge North Ranges. The current floor for supersonic flying in those two ranges is 10,000 AGL. The DoD would like to lower that floor to 5,000 AGL. My original and flawed thinking was the DoD wanted to allow supersonic flight down to 100 feet AGL. 

While allowing supersonic flights could be quite problematic and potentially dangerous if an F-15 fighter flew Mach 1.2 over my head at 100 AGL while hiking or mountain biking, that scenario is no longer an issue. Again the “floor would be 5,000 AGL. I’m still opposed to the “proposal” of lowering the supersonic floor below 10,000 AGL. In short, I would like to maintain the status quo. 

3. “Proposal” Isn’t Really a Proposal or a Plan?

I was told a few times at the meeting that all the changes and issues found in the documents at http://www.mountainhomeafbairspaceeis.com/documentation.aspx are more like a wish list. The entire scoping meeting is just to get our opinions and feedback if the changes were actually approved and implemented. It does seem like the DoD and the USAF are splitting hairs by indicating the documents do not constitute a proposal or plan, however. 

About the 8  Nov. 2019 Meeting

The “meeting” really wasn’t a meeting in the normal sense of the term. There were six individual “information booths” set up in the room. Once I signed in to the meeting, I walked from one booth to the next where USAF employees were waiting to discuss their little section of expertise.

I found each subject matter expert knowledgeable and easy to talk to. They were also quite good at remaining neutral and as non-committal as a person can be even though it was evident they were hoping the airspace changes are approved. 

In the end, I got answers to some of my questions. For the questions they couldn’t answer, they told me to write them down on their on the feedback form they had available at the last booth. You can also click over to http://www.mountainhomeafbairspaceeis.com/index.aspx, create an account and then click the “Comment” tab to submit your questions and concerns. 

General Attendance

I arrived at Mountain Home Junior High School around 6:30 pm and I was the only person, outside of USAF officials, in attendance. The sign-in sheets I saw showed there had only been about five other people in attendance before I arrived. In short, there aren’t many locals interested enough to attend this informational meeting. But let’s be honest … not many regular folks ever wander around the Owyhees. It’s a land mainly visited by ranchers and government personnel.

Questions/Feedback I Provided to the USAF

To submit a comment/concern about the proposal for the Mountain Home Range Complex, you must submit it before the end of the scoping period on November 25, 2019.

1. What are the projected numbers of low-level supersonic fights each year in the Jarbidge North and Owyhee North MOAs?
2. Where exactly will the low-level supersonic flights occur?
3. What type of aircraft will be flying these LOWAT supersonic flights in the ranges?
4. Does the USAF have a video of what a 5,000 foot AGL supersonic fly-by would look and sound like to a person on the ground?
5. Please provide a 20-year history of previously requested and previously approved changes in the airspace in question. 
6. Are there other U.S. training ranges/MOAs/areas where fighters, bombers, and other aircrews have the opportunity to train against each other, to simulate the deployment of weapons at supersonic speeds, and to train using tactics they would employ in actual combat. I’m thinking about the UTTR, Fallon Ranges or the Nellis AFB Ranges.
7. I would hope more information would be added to the project website at http://www.mountainhomeafbairspaceeis.com/index.aspx  I find some of the information to be confusing.