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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1142.037 2006-2008 19 April 2008 Proposed C-17 Training Flights over the Big Island My name is John Y. Ota, bom and raised on this Island. I worked in the Aviation Industry for 49 years before my retirement, as a Mechanic, Flight Crew to Consultant on Military and Commercial Aircraft. I strongly oppose the C-17 Training Flights over the Big Island as reported by the News Media. The Federal Government initiated many Projects that directly impact all residents in Hawaii, the Environment, and Endangered Species without serious concern for the Health and Welfare of its own Citizens. Examples of Destructive actions against Nature, the Environment and Endangered Species are provided below. 1. Mauna Kea - Mercury was used to clean the Lens of the Telescopes on top of Mauna Kea. Some Mercury was spilled on top of Mauna Kea. When will the Mercury appear in our drinking water? Laser Beam was fired from the top of Mauna Kea. How much Electro Magnetism and Radiation can a human body sustain without causing serious damage? NASA stated it is able to "Teach the Hawaiians how their ancestors made their journey from Tahiti to Hawaii". The Audacity of NASA to make such a statement. NASA, NOAA, nor the United States existed when the Hawaiians made their journey to Hawaii. 2. Army - Using Helicopters at Pohakaloa Training Area the Army killed more than 180 Sheep and Goats, left to rot where they lay. The Army lied about the presence of Depleted Uranium at Pohakaloa. Equipment to monitor the presence of DU in the atmosphere is not fully operational today. The removal of DU from PTA has not begun. Live Fire Military Training is on going at PTA. Stryker Brigade Training is scheduled to start in 2009. 3. Navy - Sonar Training is conducted in Hawaiian Waters using High and Medium Frequencies affecting all living things in the Ocean. The Navy EIS stated that Observers will be posted on surface ships to monitor Whale presence. Why is the Navy miss-leading the public by using Sailing Ship (Crows Nest) ideas, when modern technology is able to detect the presence of Fish? More Lies? 4. B2 Bombers - The exact location where DU is present in PTA is not clearly identified. Why is the B2 allowed to drop Dummy Rounds in PTA with the possibility of DU dust Particles rising into the atmosphere? 5. Super Ferry - This subject must be included in this discussion. The parent Company of the Super Ferry was started by a Retired Admiral in the Navy who worked in the Pentagon when the discussion of the Stryker Brigade was taking place in Washington. The Super Ferry is built identically to the Navy Catamaran that are operational, with speeds to exceed most Commercial Fleets. Department of Defense contract guarantees must have been obtained prior to building the Super Ferry. The Super Ferry is scheduled to enter Ports on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii from Oahu where other Military establishments are located. Is it a coincidence that an Army General recently stated that Stryker Brigade Training at Pohakaloa \ is scheduled to begin in 2009, the same time that Super Ferry service to Kawaihai is to begin? Is it another coincidence that the Super Ferry was Dry Docked for Hull and Rudder repairs with the sighting of Sharks feeding off a dead Whale? 6. NWHI - Why did the President declare the NWHI a Sanctuary when his Staff or Administration never demonstrated any concerns for the Environment? What is being kept hidden from Public view in NWHI by the Sanctuary Declaration? coi,nL w. y2 Ref. To: Prima-mo Ref. Date APR 21 2urA Why is the Air Force requesting to conduct C-17 Training Flights over the Big Island at 300 & 200 feet elevations? The News Media showed C-17s making Air Cargo Deliveries over Afghanistan from 30,000 feet elevations during the initial stages of that War. It is understandable that a higher percentage of the Cargo went into the hands of the Enemy instead of the intended population due to Wind conditions affecting where the Cargo would land. C-17s were not used to make Low level Deliveries in Afghanistan or Iraq. Why is the Air Force attempting to increase the capabilities of the C- 17s at the expense of the Residents on Hawaii? 1. The Air Force insulted the Boeing Company by comparing the C-17 to the 747, stating that "the C-17 is a miniature 747"? The size of the Aircraft, the Pay Load capacity, the number of Landing Gears should provide an indication of the vast difference between the two aircraft. In addition the Air Force C-5 is not able to match the Pay Load capacity of the 747 as it exists today. Why is the Space Shuttle carried on the back of the 747 when other Aircraft is unable to carry that Load? The 747 exceeds (more quiet) than the NOISE Standards established in 1980's by the FAA. All Military Aircraft including Helicopters are exempt from all Noise Regulations. 2. Low Level flying aircraft is not easily detected by present day Radar Systems. Is the Kona Airport capable to detecting and monitoring the altitudes of the C-17s flying over the Big Island? How is the Air Force able to enforce the 300 and 200 feet altitude and Flight path of the aircraft? The proposed Flight path goes over the area where some of the Endangered Species habitat. Why must the Air Force select a route that will surely disturb the mating habits of the Endangered Species? 3. The NOISE Level of the C-17 Jet Engines are excessively loud. Is the Air Force ready to supply all residents near or under the Flight Path with Sound Protectors to preclude the possibility of losing their hearing? What time of the Day or Night are the C-17s scheduled to fly over the Big Island? 4. What type of Cargo is scheduled to be dropped at PTA, the 19 Ton Stryker Vehicle? How will all the Dust Clouds affect the populace, animals or birds including all of the Endangered Species? 5. All of the populated and unpopulated areas along the flight path and beyond will experience the pollution emitted by the Jet Engines. Residue of this pollution is easily detected all over the Airports. How will this pollution affect all living things on this Island? 6. Additional pollution could be created by "dumping Fuel" out into the atmosphere from the aircraft Fuel Tanks under emergency conditions. Is the Air Force able to guarantee all residents of this Island that such action will not occur? 7. Incidents and Accidents have happened in the past with aircraft. Is the Air Force able to guarantee the populace of this Island that a C-17 or other aircraft will not crash on this Island? What action will the Air Force initiate should such a catastrophe occur? 8. The proposed C-17 Training Flights over the Big Island, the EIS and the Final EIS is scheduled over a very short time frame. Why is this action planned in this manner? All former EIS conducted by the Military, NASA, State of Hawaii produced evasive and deceptive answers to questions raised during the EIS procedures. Truth was never revealed. How is the populace able to TRUST anyone? John Y. Ota 1 Nanea St Hilo, HI 96720