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US Air Force delaying low-altitude flying in New Mexico
Posted: 06.08.2012 at 2:07 PM
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FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - The U.S. Air Force is temporarily scaling back planned training missions amid noise and safety concerns from New Mexico residents.
The Farmington Daily Times (http://bit.ly/LIqWLT) reports the Air Force is re-evaluating whether to fly aircraft in low-altitude training missions over northwest New Mexico as well as southwest Colorado.
The flights would require aircraft to dip as low as 300 feet above ground level.
Officials say Cannon Air Force Base, near Clovis, has received about 1,600 comments from elected officials, tribes, private groups and individuals.
Many have raised questions about the impact of low-altitude flying in the area.
The Air Force will decide next year whether to conduct an environmental impact statement.
A spokeswoman for the base says in that case, flights wouldn't begin for at least another year.
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Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)