Proposed Operations

The optimization of Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC) would improve the training capabilities of the complex. JPARC is a premier range utilized by Alaska-based units but is also a critical training area for a variety of visiting flying units. JPARC would continue to host Major Flying Exercises such as RED FLAG ALASKA and NORTHERN EDGE outside of day-to-day training operations. Under all action alternatives (1, 2 and 3), the Major Flying Exercise days would be increased from 60 to 75 annually and the daily sortie cap during these exercises would increase from 200 to 250 (125 in the morning and 125 in the afternoon). Currently, there are approximately 12,000 sorties associated with Major Flying Exercises annually.

As is the current situation, annual operations fluctuate year-to-year based on annual budgets, missions, and visiting units. The total sorties associated with day-to-day training of the local units would not change with the proposed airspace improvements; but these operations would occur in the newly established Special Activity Airspace (SAA). Currently, other visiting units (Pacific Air Force units from other countries and units participating in Major Flying Exercises) often utilize JPARC for its unique training capabilities. This use fluctuates year-to-year and seasonally and is expected to continue. Table 1 provides the annual day-to-day sorties within the optimized JPARC SAA. As shown, with the proposed extended duration of Major Flying Exercise days and the optimization of JPARC, use by visiting units would likely increase slightly while the sorties associated with the Alaska-based units would remain unchanged. Sorties would continue to occur day and night at the same rate as they do currently, approximately 92 percent of total sorties occur during the day (before sunset) and 8 percent occur during nighttime (after sunset). Table 2 provides the annual Major Flying Exercises sorties.