Yesterday the local news station, KRTV, did a story about the F-15s flying from the Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls.  According to this story, some people apparently don’t like the noise coming from the F-15s.

The story was picked up by the Associated Press and other news organizations around the world.  

I’m pretty biased about this issue, because I served in the military.  When I lived on or near different military installations around the world, the sound of military aircraft flying overhead gave me comfort and peace.  They still do.

I don’t live close to the airport, but I do hear the jets (as well as civilian planes) flying almost every day.  I also hear the choppers from Malmstrom AFB and the Mercy Flight helicopter from the local hospital.

I will never complain about the noise from the military aircraft because it’s the sound of freedom to me.

I have always wondered if the noise from military aircraft bothers people so much, why they don’t just move (far away).  If they moved into their present location after the airport was built, they should have checked out the area better.  It’s just that simple.

They aren’t going to move the airport, although from what I hear the F-15s may lose funding and be removed in a few years.  Plus it appears the Great Falls Airport Authority Board is getting rid of one of Great Falls’ biggest advocates for the Air Guard, the Airport Director.

The Department of Defense is constantly evaluating where to place new missions, or where to move their current resources.  Hearing complaints about noise from F-15s may be detrimental to the future of any military aircraft flying out of the Great Falls Airport.