In my opinion it’s gratifying to see and hear one of our military planes flying overhead protecting our freedom. I normally stop what I am doing and gaze into the sky and think about how great our country is, and why I am proud to be an American and a veteran. I guess this view comes from the time when I served our country in different parts of the world protecting some of those same planes. Seeing them up close was always a treat. I was also able to meet and get to personally know some of the outstanding men and women who pilot them and the crews who keep them operating.

Hearing a plane fly over is the “sound of freedom” to me. Sadly, it does not seem that everyone feels that way.

Back in July 2008, I commented about the Montana Congressional delegation coming out against the plan to expand the Powder River Training Complex air training range in Montana. You can read that commentary HERE.

According to a recent story in the Billings Gazette:

The training area, stretching roughly 300 miles between Billings and Bismarck, N.D., would be used by B-1B and B-52 pilots occupying the skies for several hours at a time on weekdays and flying within 500 feet off the ground. With miles of ranches and 66 small airports in or around the flight zone, opponents aren’t in short supply.

It does not appear the Congressional Delegation’s (at least the two senators’) views have changed. The Gazette also reported: Continue reading →