Specific aircraft used by the military;
Airfield locations used by the military;
Daily airfield operations estimates;
Flight patterns flown in and around the military airfield locations;
Local air traffic control services;
Military training and operations, including military operating areas;
Actions to avoid midair collisions; and
Potential areas of conflict in airspace near municipal airports.
Findings
An increased use of DCR may require re‐routing of flight patterns,
which may cause subsequent communication and noise issues and
the potential for increased safety hazards and delays due to
highly‐trafficked airspace.
ISSUE
LAS‐3
Potential Loss of Diversity Regarding Low‐Level
Flight Routes
Concern that losses from any reduced capacity or
changes in low‐level flight routes could impact flight
training capability for Seymour Johnson AFB and training
mission at Dare County Range.
Compatibility Assessment
The DCR provides the only combination of MTRs and low‐altitude range
airspace on the East Coast within proximity of Seymour Johnson AFB,
available to accomplish the low‐altitude training critical to air‐to‐air and
air‐to‐ground precision airpower combat capability of the F‐ 15E aircraft.
While in the MTRs, military aircraft are able to perform aggressive, tactical
maneuvering and training that is unable to be done elsewhere in the region.
Critical to the air‐to‐air and air‐to‐ground training needs of the F‐15E, the
Eastern North Carolina region features an unparalleled combination of air
routes and range airspace not found elsewhere within Seymour Johnson
AFB’s proximity.
In a world of increasingly sophisticated air defenses, the US needs to
maintain a first‐class air force. In combat, many aircraft will operate at
altitudes as low as 100 feet and at high airspeeds to defeat ground missile
radars and avoid sophisticated surface‐to‐air missiles, anti‐aircraft artillery,
and enemy fighters. Pilots must log long hours of realistic training to become
skilled at low‐altitude flight; and then must have many more hours of the
same training to remain proficient. Low‐altitude flying training provides this
realism and is considered one of the Air Force's highest training priorities.
There are a number of factors that could reduce the capacity or change the
low‐level flight routes utilized by Seymour Johnson AFB. If the Base received
Background Report
Page 5.13‐5