Stop expansion of military helicopters

Imagine, it's 2 a.m. amd 100-150 feet above your house are four military helicopters buzzing! It is summer and grandchildren sleeping outside are scared. Helicopters are taking evasive action to avoid hitting trees that are 100 and 200 feet tall. Wildlife, eagles, flocks of geese and ducks being spooked by military helicopters.

Personally, I have had these experiences during the last two and a half years and have filed reports with the military on more than 160 of these low-flying military operations. They ignore their stated “Fly-Friendly” practices and compliance with elevation and noise regulations.

And now, the military is proposing an unprecedented expansion of combat helicopter training in western Washington. If adopted, thousands of acres of wilderness, national forests, private forest and agricultural lands, tribal lands, and residences will be in a new militarized zone.

So, imagine what will happen, including the approaches to the new training areas. 24 hours per day at 25 feet from ground, flying through migratory bird flyways, disturbing wildlife, scaring your grandchildren from their sleep. Can you imagine eight to ten or more of these helicopters using your neighborhood or local landmark or your home as a target?

Since the military will only allow comments on the impacts of the proposed training areas, I recommend people also send letters to the new commanders at JBLM to completely stop this outrageous proposal and assure that any military training be restricted to existing military bases not civilian areas.

Further information can be found at: lewis-mcchord.army.mil/publicworks/sites/envir/eia_HTA.aspx

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 9:02 AM with the headline "Stop expansion of military helicopters."