In anticipation of a transition from existing P-3C aircraft to the P-8A MMA, the U.S. Navy recently published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to assess possible impacts of introducing the multi-mission maritime aircraft.
“The proposed action is needed to transition from existing P-3C aircraft to the P-8A MMA while maintaining the Navy’s overall maritime patrol capability supporting national defense and policies without interruption or impediment to operations or combat readiness,” a press release said.
The transition at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is tentatively scheduled to take place in 2012, although the number of squadrons to be stationed at the base is so far unknown.
“It will be an important change if it happens,” said Kim Martin, NAS Whidbey public affairs officer.
The base currently has three deployable squadrons of P-3C aircraft and one reserve squadron.
The EIS will present the environmental effects associated with aircraft operations, personnel transition, and new construction or renovation of structures to accommodate the introduction of the MMA aircraft. During the EIS process, different scenarios will be given and base personnel will provide information on what would be needed to respond to the scenarios.
“It’s all hypothetical,” Martin said. “The EIS also deals with possible impacts on the community, air and land use.”
Until the EIS has been completed, substantive data regarding facilities needs and other issues will remain unknown.
In addition to NAS Whidbey, P-3C patrol squadrons are based at NAS Brunswick, Maine, but will be relocated in their entirety to NAS Jacksonville, Fla. by 2010 as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure 2005 process. NAS Jacksonville currently has squadrons, as does MCBH in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. NAS North Island, Calif. has temporary detachments.
The proposed action would, at the program’s completion, include a total of 84 fleet and Fleet Replacement Squadron aircraft split primarily between the east and west coasts.
The P-8A MMA is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, bringing together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with a fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. The combination, coupled with next-generation sensors, will dramatically improve Anti-Submarine Warfare, or ASW, and Anti-Surface Warfare, or ASuW, capabilities.
Originally designed as a land-based, long-range, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) patrol aircraft, in contrast, the P-3C’s mission has evolved in the late 1990s and early 21st century to include surveillance of the battlesspace, either at sea or over land. Its long range and long loiter time have proved invaluable assets during Operation Iraqi Freedom as it can view the battlespace and instantaneously provide that information to ground troops, especially U.S. Marines. The P-3 Orion has been in service since November 1959 and of the three major models, it is the only one still used in active service.
A public scoping meeting for the EIS will be held Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Oak Harbor School District board room.
Information will be provided in the form of visual displays in an open house forum and representatives will be available to respond to questions. Citizens will have the opportunity to review information and provide written comments on environmental concerns that should be addressed in the EIS.
To provide written comments, send them by mail to Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, 6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508-1278, Attn: MMA PM; visit the project Web site at www.MMAEIS.com, or send comments via fax to 757-322-4894. All comments must be postmarked, if mailed, or received no later than March 2.
