Page 5 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – September 2024

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areas by avoiding them as much as possible while also achieving mis- sion objectives. However, besides the noise that is being created by the jets, there are other factors that impact how loud aircraft can be.
The weather and time of year can have a great impact on noise. Low hanging clouds can trap noise and make F-35s and F-16s sound even louder than they are. The direction of takeoffs and landings can differ depending on seasonal changes in the wind, so different residential neighborhoods may experience more noise than they are used to.
Toale stated that many in- stances of excessive noise happen to specific areas at very specific times of the day and are often temporary. Some residents accli- matize after living in the valley for long periods.
In addition to the RMO and instructor pilots, the CIT builds and strengthens long-lasting rela- tionships with the community. The team provides training on noise science and what to expect when coexisting with the base to create understanding and continuation of mission success.
“This CIT office and the folks that work with us are here to protect the long-term interests of Luke Air Force Base with the com- munity’s safety in mind, first and
September 2024 5 Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
Courtesy graphic provided by 56th Fighter Wing rMO
A map of airspace used by the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The Range Manage- ment Office manages the Barry M. Goldwater Range and military special use airspace designated for military training, providing flight training airspace for multiple Department of Defense installations.
in danger of any harm from flight missions. The RMO can redirect pilots to a different target for their exercises when necessary.
This helps ensure the range re- mains an effective place for pilots and other agencies to train with weapons, rehearse maneuvers, and meet their mission require- ments without significant envi- ronmental impact.
In addition to all the restrictions set in place, the 56th FW Public Af- fairs Office also fields calls concern- ing aircraft noise. The RMO inves- tigates potential noise infractions, informs the 56th OG of the incident if necessary, and works with public affairs to explain the situation to community members. According to Charles Buchanan, the 56th FW/RMO director, if the pilot who created the noise broke any rules, it is not typically intentional.
“While our noise can be startling or an inconvenience, it is part of our training. And in the case of sonic booms, it can be equally if not more disturbing,” said Buchanan. “But those sonic booms are also part and parcel to our training, and we need to train the right way so we can build the right instinc- tive habits for those pilots.”
56th FW pilots do their best to mitigate noise over residential
foremost,” said Toale. “Everything we do is limiting the impact on the community while still engaging and doing what we need to for national defense, but we still have
a mission, and we have to be here to do it. Critical to accomplishing our mission is the CIT office’s engagement with the community on a daily basis.”
For more information about noise and flying operations, please visit our website at www.luke. af.mil, check the factsheet, or email 56fw.pa@us.af.mil.
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