KC-46A scoping meeting set for Dec. 13

  • Published
  • By 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Dec. 9, 2016

AF holds public hearings Dec. 13 on environmental impact for KC-46A tanker

Westover not selected as primary base

WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- The U.S. Air Force is holding public hearings to invite comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the KC-46A Third Main Operating Base location. The Draft EIS was released last month in the Federal Register, online, and in local libraries. Even though Westover was not named as the top choice, the public hearings are required to be held at each alternate base.
Seymour Johnson AFB has been selected as the leading candidate to house the KC-46A MOB 3 mission. Grissom ARB, Tinker AFB and Westover ARB were chosen as alternative bases for the MOB 3 mission.
Westover’s hearing is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Tues., Dec. 13, at the adjacent Westover Metropolitan Airport, 255 Padgette St., Chicopee. The hearing will start with a USAF presentation, followed by public testimony, which will be transcribed by a court reporter. Written comments will also be accepted.

The meeting will conclude at 8 p.m. Interested media may arrive at 4:30 p.m. for advance interviews.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the USAF has prepared the environmental study in the form of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is currently available for public review and comment. If the first choice – Seymour Johnson AFB – was not ultimately selected, then the KC-46A squadron could go to one of the alternates, or the Air Force could choose not to house KC-46As at a Reserve Base.

The MOB 3 mission involves basing 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. If Westover were selected, the KC 46A MOB 3 mission would be a new mission in addition to the existing C-5 mission which would remain unchanged.

At Grissom ARB, Seymour Johnson AFB and Tinker AFB, the MOB 3 would be a replacement mission for the existing KC-135 mission. 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 Draft EIS analyzes the potential environmental consequences associated with basing the KC 46A at Westover and 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 Air Force 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 helping the Air Force make informed decisions, according to Air Force officials, and no action will be taken until after a Final EIS and Record of Decision are published.
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:

• Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013
• Ludlow Public Library, 24 Center St., Ludlow, MA 01056
• 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