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

F-22 Plus-Up Environmental Assessment
4.0 Environmental Consequences
most of their lifetimes. If the increase were to be perceived by a resident or long-term visitor
under the airspace, it could cause annoyance.
The number of sonic booms near the center of Eielson MOA and Fox 1 and 2 MOAs would
increase from 27 per month to 29 per month. Near the center of Fox 3 MOA, the number of
booms per month would be calculated to increase from 25 to 28. Near the center of Yukon 1
MOA, the average number of booms per month would increase from 15 to 16, and the number
experienced per month near the center of Yukon 2 MOA would increase from 12 to 13. Near the
center of Yukon 3 and 4 MOAs, the average monthly number of sonic booms experienced
would increase from 11 to 12, and near the center of Yukon 5 MOA, the number would increase
from 10 to 11. If perceived, the increase may be considered annoying.
This change could be discernible to Alaska Natives or others residing under or using the land
under the airspace for an extended period of time. For any damage claims associated with sonic
booms, the Air Force has established procedures that begin with contacting the JBER Public
Affairs Office.
Overall, sub- and supersonic noise impacts in the military training airspace associated with
implementation of the Proposed Action would not be expected to be perceived as significant.
4.2.3 No Action
Under the No Action Alternative, the F-22 plus-up would not occur. Noise levels around the
airfield (on land and in the Knik Arm) and in the military training airspace would remain as
discussed in Section 3.2.
4.3 Safety
This section addresses potential environmental consequences to ground, flight, and explosive
safety that could occur at or in the vicinity of JBER-Elmendorf or within the training airspace.
4.3.1 Base Environmental Consequences
Six additional primary F-22 aircraft would essentially function
as the existing F-22 aircraft that have been flying at JBER-
Elmendorf for the past four years. JBER-Elmendorf aircraft
ground safety conditions would not change as a result of the F-
22 plus-up.
Historically, when new military aircraft first enter the
inventory, the flight safety mishap rate is higher. Safety data
are limited for the F-22 because it is a new aircraft with
multiple complex systems. These systems are undergoing
JBER has an active BASH program to
reduce the potential for bird and wildlife
strikes and enhance airfield safety.
refinement as the F-22 accumulates flight hours as an operational system. Class A mishaps are
calculated on a basis of 100,000 flight hours. The F-22 has nearly achieved 100,000 flight hours
needed for a Class A impact calculation. During test activities and weapons system
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