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

F-22 Plus-Up Environmental Assessment
3.0 Affected Environment
With the exception of the Buffalo MOA and the Birch MOA, all of the MOAs currently used by
JBER aircrews have associated ATCAAs, and ATCAAs not over the MOAs can also be used for
training as approved by the FAA. Through letters of agreement with the FAA, ATCAAs may
extend up to and above 60,000 feet MSL. Several of the airspace units used by JBER-Elmendorf
aircrews are “capped” at lower altitudes by the managing ARTCC to allow unimpeded transit
by civil and commercial aircraft traffic.
3.1.2.3 Military Training Route
MTRs are flight corridors developed and used by the DoD to practice high-speed, low-altitude
flight, generally below 10,000 feet MSL. No F-22 use of MTRs is proposed. MTRs are airspace of
defined vertical and lateral dimensions established for conducting military flight training at
airspeeds in excess of 250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS) (P/CG 2004). MTRs are developed in
accordance with criteria specified in FAA Order 7610.4 (DoD 2004). They are described by a
centerline, with defined horizontal limits on either side of the centerline, and vertical limits
expressed as minimum and maximum altitudes along the flight track. MTRs are identified as
Visual Routes (VRs) or Instrument Routes (IRs).
3.1.2.4 Restricted Area
A Restricted Area is designated airspace that supports ground or flight activities that could be
hazardous to non-participating aircraft. A Restricted Area is designated under 14 CFR Part 73,
within which the flight of non-participating aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to
restriction. Most Restricted Areas are designated “joint-use” and IFR/VFR operations in the
area may be authorized by the controlling ATC facility when the airspace is not being utilized
by the using agency. The Restricted Areas, R-2202, R-2203, and R-2205, are Army ranges used
by the Air Force for training. R-2206 is not a flying range (see Figure 2.2-3). R-2211 is Air Forcemanaged
airspace to support training activities. According to FAA Order 7400.8M, R-2202C is
between 10,000 and 29,000 feet MSL and R-2202D is 31,000 feet MSL to unlimited. These
airspaces are described in Table 3.1-2.
Range management involves the development and implementation of those processes and
procedures required by AFI 13-212, Volumes 1, 2, and 3, to ensure that Air Force ranges are
planned, operated, and managed in a safe manner; that all required equipment and facilities are
available to support range use; and that proper security for range assets is present. Specific
direction on different range activities is contained in AFI 13-212, Volume 1, Range Planning and
Operations, Volume 2, Range Construction and Maintenance, and Volume 3, SAFE-RANGE Program
Methodology (Air Force 2001c, 2001d, 2001e). The focus of range management is on ensuring the
safe, effective, and efficient operation of Air Force ranges. The overall purpose of range
management is to balance the military’s need to accomplish realistic testing and training with
the need to minimize potential impacts of such activities on the environment and surrounding
communities (Air Force 2001c, 2001d, 2001e).
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