Air Force Combat Range Could Cost $12 Million But Foes Of Idaho Project Cite Noise From Sonic Booms

If Congress approves the latest plan, the Air Force will spend more than $12 million on a proposed electronic combat training range in southwestern Idaho.

Air Force officials have said that the proposed 12,000-acre range with five simulated-bombing areas and 30 electronic-emitter sites spread over about another million acres at Mountain Home Air Force Base is an enhancement, not a necessity.

A recently-issued environmental impact statement on the proposal is the subject of hearings beginning June 3.

The Air Force spent about $4.5 million on environmental studies of two failed range proposals in 1989 and 1991. And it has spent about $2.1 million on the current proposal. Officials estimate it will cost about $5.6 million to equip the proposed range.

The total cost to construct the range will not be known until a specific alternative is selected.

Craig Gehrke of the Wilderness Society maintains the impact statement is inaccurate, superficial and devious and does not give the public the big picture.

Air Force Col. Bill Richey said the public will have a chance to comment on the statement and help shape the final version.

“The Enhanced Training in Idaho proposal and analysis is an in-depth study and a result of more than two years of continuous dialogue between the Air Force and the public,” Richey said.

But Herb Meyr, a longtime critic of Air Force range proposals in southern Idaho, claims the noise analysis in that impact statement is deceptive Meyr is a retired decorated combat pilot and former fighter pilot instructor.

The figures, though weighted to reflect the effects of sudden noises in quiet areas, are averaged and do not show the sounds from a 40-plane exercise or the number of sonic booms during such an exercise, Meyr said.

Bureau of Land Management spokesman John Foster agreed that the analysis does not reflect what people on the ground will hear. The method used is geared toward urbanized areas to gauge effects on people who live near airports and freeways, he said. The BLM has been involved with the Air Force in conducting the impact study.

The Composite Wing doing most of its training at the existing Saylor Creek Range and over southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada, includes jet fighters and bombers, long-range bombers and refueling tankers.

Exercises involving live ammunition or large composite forces are conducted in Utah or Nevada.