Over the past few years I have written about the proposed Powder River Training Complex that would extend into southeastern Montana. The expanded training area would be used by B-1 and B-52 airplanes from Minot and Ellsworth Air Force Bases in North and South Dakota. Of course other planes from other bases could use the area, too. It would expand to about 28,000 square miles from the current 8,300 square miles.
The Billings Gazette reported yesterday:
On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration notified Montana that the Air Force was seeking approval for the training area first proposed in 2008. As final step in the matter, the FAA is seeking public comment by April before making its decision.
I have totally supported the expansion from the beginning.
Unfortunately, the Montana congressional delegation has not supported the expansion. Since 2008, elected officials in Montana have basically told anyone and everyone that Montana’s skies are closed. Their backward thinking may have even caused the Montana Air National Guard to lose their jet fighter mission – plus hurt the chances of Malmstrom AFB (near Great Falls) from ever getting another flying mission.
The Western Word 