| | Wednesday June 19, 2013 |
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| Raptors causing damage to property? |
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Night maneuvers by F-22 Raptors will continue in the area and that concerns Lori English, a retired U.S. Marine. English is torn, she said, because she understands the importance of having a well-trained military but tempers that with the apparent damage to her East Mesa home, allegedly from sonic booms caused by the jets. 03-12-2011 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE -- "I've got a cinderblock house and there's cracks in every single room of my house," English said. "Since the flights started again, in September, these episodes of sonic booms have amounted to the same as 3.0 to 4.0 earthquakes. I know that because I used to live in California. These sonic booms literally rattle my whole house."
Officials with the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, near Alamogordo, said Monday that training flights for F-22 Raptors are scheduled the next two weeks, and those will include flights after dark.
That means chances for sonic booms to occur is possible. Because of the F-22's "supercruise" capability, sonic booms can happen when the aircraft is in flight.
Most training flights are expected to be completed before 8:30 p.m. The flights are scheduled Monday through Thursday nights the next two weeks, and might produce more noise than usual at Holloman, over White Sands Missile Range airspace and near communities in Doņa Ana, Otero, and Lincoln counties.
"As a part of our reconstitution of the F-22s, and to meet requirements set by the Secretary of Defense, we will be conducting some night
flying operations," said 2nd Lt. Logan Clark with the Holloman Public Affairs Office. "We will continue to make every effort to balance the requirements of our training and help reduce the impact of that training on our neighboring communities."
Other East Mesa residents have also said they have had problems caused by the sonic booms.
"People on the East Mesa are really paying the price for these test flights," English said. "I know that we have to have troops ready for combat. I know training is needed. We can't send our military ill prepared into combat. But I'm entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in my own home. (But) all I'm pursuing is the bills I have to pay (for repairs to the house)."
Night flying is conducted to ensure that Air Force pilots can operate the F-22 in all environments and situations. During the training the aircraft will conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground training in airspace designated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The 49th Wing attempts to utilize WSMR airspace. But, that airspace is only available when military weapons testing or other development activity is not being conducted. Also, airspace above McGregor Range and areas north and east of Holloman, are used for training.
In order to assist residents with being prepared for potential sonic booms, the Holloman Public Affairs Office regularly releases the flying schedule to media organizations throughout southern New Mexico and far west Texas. The office will also email the report to anyone who wants the flying schedule. The training flight schedule is also posted on Holloman's website, at www.holloman.af.mil.
Source: lcsun-news.com
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