Re: [CPEO-MEF] Sprawl Threatens Operation of Arizona's Luke AFB

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[POSTED BY Wayne Crist (WCRIST@kennesaw.Lawco.com)]

Lenny the problem is much deeper.

We are running out of bases where you can move a flight operation
without stepping on someone's environmental toes.  It does make a
difference how much time it takes to get to a training area and whether 
you use live rounds or dummy rounds.  Training in virtual reality is 
good but nothing like being in the real environment.  More importantly 
as we draw down to fewer bases more and more people lose a personal 
connection with our military. That is not good. With less direct contact 
people become even more ignorant of the military.  I'm always amazed at 
the people who think it is like *M*A*S*H* or any number of the movies 
that project and promote mere caricatures of the military.  Fewer get 
the benefits of the having an installation near by - and yes there are 
lots of benefits beyond money.

Installations are at the same time a burden.  One that every one should 
share since everyone shares the protection they provide.  Why should the 
military installation be treated like a step child that is pushed 
farther and farther away?               

I have been reading email from this group for more than 5 years and not 
once have I heard any constructive suggestions on how the military can 
perform their mission and stay in an area.  

In 1974 work began to protect Arizona's air base, you can see how far
they have gotten. 

Wayne Crist 
Environmental Communications Consultant 

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~