||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS |||
As a public-use airport Port of Orcas is occasionally called upon to support training or other mission-connected activities conducted by the Navy, Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security or FAA. And though in many cases the notice is short, it’s always our preference to keep our island neighbors informed.
This week we can share that;
“Elements of the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command are conducting training in the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Orcas Island, and Point Roberts, WA areas from 17-19 April 2024. Aviation assets will be involved, so citizens may hear a higher level of noise associated with military aircraft. This training has been fully coordinated and is not in response to any real-world event. Extensive safety precautions are in place to protect the service members and local citizens and to limit inconvenience to the communities. Due to inherent risks to personal safety associated with aviation training, there will be no opportunities for public viewing of this training. For more information, contact the Regiment Public Affairs Office at 270-412-8108 (Office) or (270) 798-6298 (Cell), carolyn.g.bockrath.mil@socom.mil.”
If you’ve seen our KORS Airport Noise Abatement educational efforts you’ll know that we place a high priority on maintaining the quiet and peaceful environment our residents and guests expect and make every effort to ensure our local procedures are understood by all who use the airport. We also recognize that as an island we’re uniquely dependent and when circumstances require critical transportation support it’s these service members who’ll be leading any humanitarian effort. Please welcome them should you have the opportunity as our collaboration and their familiarity with our geography and procedures will make for a safer, more efficient operation.
Any questions or concerns please reach out to Chip at manager@portoforcas.com or 360-376-5285.
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Oh good!. Let’s hope we get alot of flybys so those of us, who respect and appreciate our military forces, have the opportunity to view and experience these fine machines and the good people who provide us the protections to live as we do.
And thanks to the sheriff’s also.
Just what we need, more loud low flying airplanes….such a quiet place we live.
I’ll gladly take a few days of this over the daily Cessna propeller sonic booms from San Juan Airlines.
The Port of Orcas BELONGS to the people of Orcas Island. Are we not allowed any say in whether OUR port is used by the military? Perhaps if we were told WHY our port is being taken over by the military for “conducting training” it would make acquiescing more tolerable to those of us who don’t just blindly support the industrial war machine? Maybe they perhaps doing earthquake response drills? Are they practicing ANYTHING that is remotely pertinent to our lives on Orcas Island? Or is it more like NAS Whidbey Island pretending to care about the concerns of the citizens impacted by their obnoxious night flights?