Washington, D.C. ­– U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) today sent a letter to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB) to express agreement with the Air Force’s Total Force Training Environmental Assessment, which concluded that the any increase in annual training flights at the base would have no significant impact on the quality of the surrounding environment.

“We strongly agree with the Air Force’s assessment that an increase in training flights at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base would have no negative impact on the quality of the surrounding Tucson community,” said Senators McCain and Flake. “At a time when our nation faces growing threats around the world, it is critically important that we maintain a strong national defense by providing our active, reserve, and guard units at DMAFB with ample opportunity to train and prepare for combat. We thank the Air Force for its efforts to prepare our troops through the Total Force Training mission, and for its commitment to the airmen stationed at this vital base.”

The signed letter is here and the text of the letter is below.

November 24, 2014

 

355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3405 South 5th Street

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona 85707

Re: Total Force Training Environmental Assessment

 

To whom it may concern:

We write regarding the revised Environmental Assessment (EA) for the update and implementation of the Total Force Training (TFT) mission at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB). 

The proposed update of the year-round TFT mission is designed to provide the active, reserve, and guard units of the Air Force as well as foreign partner nations with the ability to better maintain readiness through the utilization of training availability in Arizona. The additional sorties included in the preferred alternative will provide opportunities for military pilot training that would otherwise not occur. We strongly agree with the Air Force’s draft EA finds no significant impact on the quality of the surrounding environment from the proposed increase of annual training flights at DMAFB.

We commend the Air Force’s commitment to providing for a strong and prepared national defense through the TFT program and their recognition of DMAFB’s contribution to that end. Further, we ask that consideration of this comment be in strict accordance with Air Force regulations and ethical guidelines.

Sincerely,

John McCain

Jeff Flake

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