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The sound of freedom

John W. Nickerson
Letters |
Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 1:01 am

Toni Seger's guest column Nov. 8 stated that proposed lower-level military flights were disrespectful to Western Maine.

I think the article is disrespectful to those who are charged with defending this great country from its enemies. The military must conduct training exercises in all sorts of environments and conditions in order to be adequately trained for its mission.

During the Cold War, East Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union, which oppressed the citizens. Those in West Germany were fearful of the Soviets and were grateful for the presence of American troops to protect them.

I was once in a small West German town located near a U.S. Army artillery range that operated around the clock. The townspeople were subjected to the constant pounding of exploding ordnance. I once asked a waitress at a local gasthaus how they could stand the incessant noise. The waitress replied that they didn't mind it because "That's the sound of freedom."

Military flights over Maine may at times be annoying and disturb our tranquility, but that, too, is the sound of freedom.

John W. Nickerson, Poland

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UNCLE_JOHN's picture

It is difficult to list in

By UNCLE_JOHN, unverified — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 19:33

It is difficult to list in this short comment block all the parts of the Air National Guard's Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Many of the comments to this letter by John A. Chick reflect exactly the response that the Air National Guard sought to promote--unthinking, instinctual standing straight and saluting to those who "can do no wrong".

I have read the 176 pages in their document. I would be glad to discuss them with anyone who has done the same. I suggest that many of your readers would benefit from going to the library and asking for a copy to read. If they don't have one, ask the librarian to get one on interlibrary loan--alternatively, google it and select the state of maine web site for the copy posted there.

No one likes to be misled. Consider the economics of this request. A simple map search on Google reveals that Fort Drum, New York and the Adirondack Military Operations Area (MOA) is between 30 % and 45% closer to Barnes Air Force Base in Westfield, Massachusetts than Greenfield, Maine in the Condor 1 & 2 Military Operations Area depending on how one measures it. When one is flying a jet fighter fuel consumption is a major consideration--especially when the ultimate target areas are essentially the same. The F15 jet used by MA ANG 104FW is reported to burn 1200 to 1400 gallons an hour and 4 gallons a second when afterburners are used. In other words, a substantial increase in operating cost would be incurred by using Condor 1 & 2 MOA as compared to using Adirondack MOA. The discussion of the alternative which uses the Adirondack MOA is one paragraph long and, with no figures given, is just dismissed as inappropriate.

Further, a phone call to the Air Force turned up the information that this low level training cannot be done over the ocean since when pilots go below 1,000 feet there is a serious possibility of disorientation and disaster (diving into the sea) from planes flying at almost 700 feet per second. Since the probability of attack on the homeland would probably come from the ocean side, it would appear that more attention needs to be paid to the resolution of this problem. Of course, coming around a mountain at a speed of one mile every 7.5 seconds also has many opportunities for its own set of problems.

"'Nuff said" -- Go get a copy of the draft EIS and read it before you offer opinions as to its value and whether or not a case for dog-fighting and high-low intercept practice has been made. Then you can cite references for your position for or against the proposal.

Edmund_Dantes's picture

I'm proud of you that you've

By Edmund_Dantes, unverified — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 21:38

I'm proud of you that you've read the 176 pages all by yourself Uncle John.

The Adirondack MOA as well as the Tupper, Lowville, Cranberry MOAs in upstate NY are affectionately known as the Adirondack Area even though it includes many different MOA'a with many different restrictions. It used to be only the Falcon 1 & 2. It was recently changed many of the same reasons that the ANG wants the Condor airspace changed. And guess what the sky hasn't fallen there.

To address your statement to just go to the Adirondack MOA. Its not always a viable option. The Adirondack Airspace is used extensively by the 174th fighter wing out of Syracuse or the 158th fighter wing out of Vermont. Often times a tanker out of Bangor will anchor in AR609 and conduct refueling for the fighters so they can have their dogfights or bombing runs in R5201/2. If the units out of Syracuse have requested the Adirondack airspace then they in effect "own" the airspace and can either include or exclude the units from Burlington or Barnes or anywhere else for that matter. There are times when the units need to operate in isolation from any other unit so its not possible for other units to participate. When this happens then the other units from the northeast looking to conduct their training have to rely on the Yankee airspace or the Condor airspace.

The weather also has an impact on the units ability to train. Often times a unit or units will request all three groups of MOAs, Adirondacks, Yankees, and Condors and then use the one that has the most favorable weather for the particular mission that they are training for. Most military ANG pilots have real jobs and can only fly on their weekends and if there are scheduling conflicts and or weather conflicts then they will have a hard time meeting their training requirements to remain proficient. The Maine ANG plays a large role in the refueling for many of these missions so the northeast ANG bases are all interconnected and they all help each other. It would be nice if the people on the ground had the same philosophy.

Yes the EIS is poorly written. Find a solution that works for the ANG and works for you.

JACK's picture

Way to go pro-military fans!

By JACK, unverified — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 18:42

Way to go pro-military fans! I did attend the hearing on 11/14 and actually spoke in defense of the USAF and ANG in using our mountains for training. I was ashamed of being a Mainer that day due to all the ignorance and finger pointing at our great military services. It's nice to see other people out there supporting our forces and posting your thoughts. I am glad to know there are fellow comrades in this festering debate.

jchick's picture
verified

Great letter John. John A.

By John Chick, verified user — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 10:01

Great letter John.

John A. Chick

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

bballfan7744's picture

This is a perfect example of

By bballfan7744, unverified — Sun, 11/15/2009 - 13:44

This is a perfect example of NIMBY. These flyers must train to maintain proficiency in all types of conditions. This IS the sound of freedom! Fly over my house ANYTIME. This is the same attitude that keeps good businesses out of Maine as well. Excellent letter John!

Centarie2000's picture
verified

They complain as though they

By Allisa Milliard, verified user — Sun, 11/15/2009 - 11:31

They complain as though they aren't already subjected to noise from snowmobiles, ATVs, lawn mowers, snow blowers, and great old rebuilt mudrunning pick up trucks, all of which I find more annoying, goes on for hours, and lasts all hours in the day and night. But thats just outdoor fun and chores for many. BTW: I grew up in the landing pattern of the Brunswick NAS, so I am familiar with the sound of planes especially around the time of their air shows. We just turned it into a game of identifying the plane types based on site and sound. All the people in western Maine have to do is make believe they are on their snowsleds, ATVs, or mowing their lawns.

veritas's picture
verified

John Writes: "I think the

By Ronald Riml, verified user — Sun, 11/15/2009 - 10:13

John Writes:

"I think the article is disrespectful to those who are charged with defending this great country from its enemies."

'The 'Sound of Freedom' indeed! - Give me a break!

This is America. Even the Military has to submit to rules and regulations. Our freedom lies in equal protection of the law.

------------------------------------------
When I was a young Sailor - I drank like a Sailor, fought like a Sailor, and screwed like a Sailor. Now that I am old and wise - I have a few scars, but many fond memories.

jchick's picture
verified

Oh, give US a break

By John Chick, verified user — Mon, 11/16/2009 - 09:59

Oh, give US a break Veritas,

Laws are worthless without the ability to back them up. Don't think so? Let's ground all aircraft, park all ships and tanks and disband the millitary, the coast guard, and all law enforcement agencies (state and federal). How long do you think we'd hang onto our freedom then? Laws only work when they are obeyed and enforced.

John A. Chick

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." -- Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (January 6, 1816)

mad dad's picture

Well written. Ditto for me.

By mad dad, unverified — Sun, 11/15/2009 - 07:03

Well written. Ditto for me.

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