F-22 Plus-Up Environmental Assessment - Joint Base Elmendorf ...

F-22 Plus-Up Environmental Assessment
4.0 Environmental Consequences
4.0 BASE AND TRAINING AIRSPACE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
This chapter analyzes potential environmental consequences
from the proposed plus-up of the F-22 aircraft inventory at
JBER. As in Chapter 3.0, the expected geographic scope of
potential environmental consequences is identified as the ROI.
This chapter considers the direct and indirect effects of the
Proposed Action and No Action Alternative described in
Chapter 2.0. The Existing Conditions (refer to Chapter 3.0) of
each relevant environmental resource is described to give the public and agency decision
makers a meaningful point from which they can compare potential future environmental,
social, and economic effects. Cumulative effects are discussed in Chapter 5.0.
4.1 Airspace Management
Airspace management environmental consequences could occur in or around the base or in the
training airspace.
4.1.1 Base Airspace Management Environmental Consequences
The addition of six primary F-22 aircraft to JBER-Elmendorf would not impact air traffic control
within the AATA. The Anchorage Approach Control has overall management responsibility
within the ATCAA. Anchorage Approach Control has managed the airspace when there were
substantially more fighter aircraft operating from JBER-Elmendorf than would be with the
proposed F-22 plus-up. No consequences would be expected to airspace management with the
additional six primary F-22 aircraft.
4.1.2 Training Airspace Environmental Consequences
For the purpose of this EA, the term
JBER refers to the entire combined
base. The term JBER-Elmendorf refers
to the historic Elmendorf AFB which is
primarily affected by the F-22 plus-up.
JBER- Richardson refers to the historic
Fort Richardson portion of JBER.
Table 2.2-3 in Chapter 2.0 describes the existing and projected MOA usage associated with
baseline F-22 and the proposed increase of six primary aircraft. F-22 training in the MOAs
would be similar to the existing use by F-22 aircraft. The additional aircraft would not affect
regional airspace management. The usage of the airspace would not change to the extent that
civil aviation could be affected. The time spent at higher altitudes by the F-22, including in the
ATCAAs, should have a minimal effect upon general aviation that normally flies at lower
altitudes.
Range use by the F-22 is substantially less than historic use by such aircraft as the F-15E. The F-
22 is designed to carry smart munitions with long range stand-off capabilities. Most air-toground
training in the airspace would be performed by flying specific training profiles and
practicing the release of munitions under launch conditions without actually releasing any
munitions. Practice munitions use could occur on Alaskan training ranges and would be
performed at lower altitudes to experience the handling characteristics of the aircraft under
deployment conditions. Table 2.2-4 presents the existing and projected F-22 training munitions
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