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UAE IFF Environmental Assessment

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
AIR FORCE PILOT TRAINING AT FORT WORTH ALLIANCE AIRPORT

The Air Force announced Feb. 11 it determined a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the environmental assessment of a proposed Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training program for United Arab Emirates military pilots using F-5 aircraft at Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

The environmental assessment analyzed direct, indirect and cumulative environmental impacts. Analysis covered noise, airspace management and air traffic control, land use, earth resources, water resources, hazardous materials and waste, biological resources, utilities and infrastructure, socioeconomics and environmental justice, cultural resources, and air quality.

The Air Force conducted the study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires Federal agencies to consider environmental consequences in the decision-making process.

The United Arab Emirates requested the pilot training through the United States Government's Foreign Military Sales Program. The program is part of Security Assistance authorized by the Arms Export Control Act, and includes training as well as the sale of equipment. The Air Force does not have the capacity to provide the training in the timeframe and rate requested by the UAE. Lockheed Martin Corporation will provide the pilot training at Alliance Airport with on-site Air Force oversight of the program.

The program would include the bed down of 15 F-5 A/B aircraft, employment of more than 90 Lockheed Martin support personnel, and improvement of existing Fort Worth Alliance Airport facilities. Most of the flying training would take place away from the airport within existing military training airspace in central Texas and southwest Oklahoma.

Related Links:

Link to complete Environmental Assessment and FONSI

Link to F-5 Fact Sheet: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2282  

Link to F-5 photo: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/060905-F-1234S-002.jpg