NAS Jax holds public hearing regarding new P-8A

Representatives from U.S. Fleet Forces Command and NAS Jax were on hand to answer questions and explain the transition. "The P-8A is a version of the 737 aircraft and will eventually replace the P-3s which have been in service since the mid-60s. They are just wearing out and the Navy needs a new aircraft," said Rick Keys, a project officer for the P-8A fleet introduction with U.S. Fleet Forces Command (FFC), based in Norfolk, Va. "We're looking at several alternatives such as the number of squadrons that would possibly be stationed at NAS Jax and right now the Navy's preferred alternative is to bring five fleet squadrons here and the keep the fleet replacement squadron here."

"We have been traveling to several different bases nationwide, visiting all the sites that these aircraft may be based out of. These site include NAS Jax, NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., NAS North Island in San Diego and Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay to introduce the DEIS to the public and give the community the opportunity to voice their environmental and economic concerns," continued Keys. "The DEIS is a nearly 1,000-page document and the public can give their comments as to whether they think we did the right analysis or let us know if we missed something. These comments will be incorporated into the final EIS which will be put out this fall."

The DEIS evaluated potential environmental consequences to resources such as air quality, archeological/cultural resources, coastal considerations, noise, traffic, water quality, wetlands/floodplains and the impact to threatened and endangered species.

Ortega resident Kerry Dunlavey testifies about her concerns regarding current noise levels she has experienced with the P-3 "Orion" and asked what would happen if the P-8A "Poseidon" aircraft squadrons are brought to NAS Jax during a public hearing at Howard Johnson's Inn Orange Park April 9. Dunlavey was the only citizen from Ortega to attend the meeting and voice her concerns at the public hearing.

"The P-8A is a military version of the Boeing 737 which is the most common aircraft flown commercially. There really is no environmental impact if you look at wetlands or endangered species," stated Lisa Padgett of FFC. "What we will have is a change in the noise because we are transitioning from a propeller aircraft to a jet engine."

The transition will reduce the number of aircraft and personnel required to complete the patron squadron (VP) mission. "This is a huge transition for the Navy. These planes are much easier to maintain than the P-3 and require far less maintenance to increase their liability," said Chris Harding, EIS project manager.

The transition will reduce the VP's aircraft Navy-wide from 120 to 84 and reduce the number of squadron personnel from 4,760 to 3,309 creating more cost-effective and efficient VP communities.

"It's very exciting to be a crewmember and be part of this transition. It's a rolling transition, one squadron at a time, one base at a time," added Harding.

The public has until April 25 to voice their concerns and can do so by submitting written comments to Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Attn: MMA PM, 6506 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, Va. 23508-1278.