12 March, 2009

FROM: HQ ACC/A7PS

129 Andrews Street, Suite 102 Langley AFB V A 23665-2769

SUBJECT: Environmental Assessment (EA) for Beddown of a Second Field Training Unit (FTU) and Relocation of an Existing FTU for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

1. Enclosed for your review is a copy of the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONS I) prepared by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District. We prepared this EA to analyze potential environmental impacts from the beddown of a second Field Training Unit (FTU) and relocation of the Air Force's existing FTU currently located at Creech Air Force Base (AFB), NV to another installation.

2. The FTU provides flight training in UAS platforms, specifically the MQ-1 (Predator) and MQ-9 (Reaper) unmanned aircraft. The Air Force currently employs an FTU for these aircraft at Creech AFB, NV. Unfortunately, the airspace utilized by Creech AFB is at or near maximum capacity, and would not be able to sustain a second UAS FTU while at the same time satisfying Combat Air Patrol (CAP) requirements for UAS that are engaged in combating terrorism. Therefore, the Air Force proposes to consolidate all MQ-1 and MQ-9 UAS training by creating a second UAS FTU at another installation, and relocating the existing FTU from Creech AFB to the new location.

a. We are evaluating two bases, Holloman AFB, New Mexico and Edwards AFB, California as potential beddown sites for this proposed action.

b. Approximately 600 permanent staff and 200 students would be assigned to the selected installation.

c. Annual sorties anticipated to be required for MQ-1/MQ-9 training would be approximately 2,880, including up to 480 night-time sorties. These sorties will occur in restricted airspace.

d. Both live ordnance and practice ordnance would be delivered into approved air-to-ground firing ranges.

e. No supersonic flights are associated with either aircraft.

3. ACC and USACE Sacramento District are soliciting comments on this interim draft EA and draft FONS from Federal, state and regional agencies, and the general public. The draft EA and FONS are also available for review on the ACC/A 7PS Internet web page at the following address:

http://www.accplanning.org/documents/eas/draft_ea_ftu-2__11mar09.pdf or draft_ea_ftu-2-11mar09.pdf (link not on USAF letter but added for additional notification)

Please forward any issues or concerns to our ACC project manager, Mr. Donald Calder. The deadline for receipt of your comments is 14 April 2009, 30 days after the published notice of availability. Mr. Calder can be reached at the above address or e-mailed at

Donald. Cal der@langley.af.mil.

LARRY H. DRYDEN, P.E.

Chief, Sustainable Installations Branch (A 7PS)

Attachment:

UAS FTU EA/FONSI document