September 23, 2014 / Modified sep 23, 2014 8:19 a.m.

Increased Number of Training Flights Coming to Davis-Monthan

More air crews from global allies expected at Tucson Air Force base; noise increase minimal commander says.

A-10 squadron in flight spotlight
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

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Training flights by visiting air crews at Tucson's Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will nearly double in number this year and ongoing, base officials said Monday.

The news came in release of D-M's "draft environmental assessment," a report on how the base's activities affect the surrounding areas.

The study looked at what the Air Force calls Total Force Training, a program more commonly known as Operations Snowbird, which brings U.S. and foreign military pilots and crews to train in Southern Arizona.

Col. James Meger, commander for the 355th Fighter Wing at the air base, said the additional flights would account for 6 percent of all flight operations at the base if the plan is approved.

The report said the increased flights would have no environmental impact on Tucson and the surrounding area. The noise level would be roughly the same, with the area affected by noise expanded by about 100 feet, the report said.

The report is open for public comment for 30 days.

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