Public hearings announced for F-22 beddown

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Staff reports

A maintenance Airman marshals in a 325th Fighter Wing F-22A Raptor at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20. The first six Raptors arrived to their temporary home at Eglin from Tyndall Air Force Base. This move is part of mission shift by the Air Force as Hurricane Michael recovery efforts continue at Tyndall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

The U.S. Air Force, as lead agency, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed action to beddown fifth generation Formal Training Unit aircraft at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and/or Eglin AFB in Florida.

The purpose of this action and its alternatives include consolidating fifth generation FTU aircraft to optimize use of existing ramp, hangar, airspace, and range capacity while increasing pilot production and training readiness of U.S. Air Force fighter pilots.

The U.S. Air Force will host a series of public scoping meetings in the project areas to allow members of the public to learn about the project.  Each meeting will begin with an hour and a half open house followed by a brief Air Force presentation and an opportunity to provide written public comments. The meetings will have the following agenda:

  • 5  to 6:30 p.m. – Open House and comment submission
  • 6:30 to 7 p.m. – Air Force Presentation
  • 7 to 8 p.m. – Open house and comment submission resumes

The meetings will be held at the dates, times, and locations provided below:

  • May 14, 5 to 8 p.m., Cornerstone Worship Center, 444 Valparaiso Pkwy in Valparaiso
  • May 15, 5 to 8 p.m., Northwest Florida State College, 100 E. College Blvd., Building 400, Rooms 132/133 in Niceville
  • May 16, 5 to 8 p.m., Gulf Coast State College, Student Union East Conference Room, 5230 US Highway 98 in Panama City
  • May 22, 5 to 8 p.m., Thomas Nelson Community College, Peninsula Workforce Development Center, 600 Butler Farm Road in Hampton, Virginia