Holloman Air Force Base Afb Supersonic Flight Operations In The Reserve Military Operations Area

The 49th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, proposes to fly approximately 300 supersonic sorties per month in the Valentine Military Operations Area/Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace area. All proposed supersonic flights would be conducted during daylight hours and at an altitude above 15,000 feet mean sea level which is 8,000 to 10,000 feet above ground level in the MOA. Several alternatives were reviewed including the no action option. A review of existing MOA's within 150 NM of Holloman AFB show the more viable alternatives to be: utilize only the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and the Reserve MOA; use only the WSMR and the Valentine MOA. The Air Force's preferred alternative is to conduct 300 sorties per month in both MOA's (Valentine and Reserve) to minimize the number of sonic booms each area would receive. The primary environmental concern associated with the proposed action is the effects of sonic booms. It is projected an individual would hear no more than 2 to 3 sonic booms per day in the area of flight operations. Over-pressure levels would range from 1 to about 5 psf with the average carpet boom being 2 to 3 psf. Focus booms could occur in the area. Concerns have been raised about significant indirect impacts to the economy by sonic booms impacting ranching operations and recreational activities.