Navy Explains Scope, Consequences of Basing New Jets Locally

CAMARILLO —  Before a mixed audience of Navy supporters, environmentalists and senior citizens, Navy officials Wednesday night explained the scope and consequences of bringing a new fleet of fighter jets to the Naval Air Weapons Station at Point Mugu.

The presentation included nearly two hours of public comment from the audience on the possibility of bringing 92 F/A-18 E/F fighter jets to the Navy base.

Many in the audience expressed their continued support for the Navy, the base and its activities.

“I think everybody here recognizes the economic value that Point Mugu and Port Hueneme bring to Ventura County,” audience member John Evans said. “I’m here tonight to voice my support.”

The hearing is the first step in a lengthy evaluation process to determine where five squadrons of the new fighter jets will be based.

The F/A-18 E/F planes, now on the production line, are designed to replace an older fleet of fighter jets. Navy officials explained that the new F/A-18s are designed to fly 30% to 50% farther, carry more weapons and save more fuel than the older models. The Navy estimates that the fleet could bring about 1,550 military and civilian jobs to the area.

Navy officials explained that Point Mugu is being considered as an alternative site, along with the Naval Air Facility in El Centro. At this time, the Naval Air Station in Lemoore is the preferred site because since the older fleet of F/A-18s is already based there.

Still, Navy officials must undergo a rigorous environmental impact review for all possible sites, a process that they expect to be completed and ready for public review by September. A decision on the final destination for the jets is expected to be made by March.

The environmental report will examine such issues as air traffic, noise and air quality.

Although most of the speakers at Wednesday’s hearing supported the jet fighters coming to Point Mugu, some local residents said they were concerned about the noise and pollution such planes could bring to Ventura County.

Navy officials told audience members, particularly those who live in Camarillo’s Leisure Village, that the planes would be flying at 2,200 feet and above.

“We are going to have to listen to those loud F-18 planes flying over our homes,” said Marie Bryant, who represents the Channel Islands Legal Defense Trust Fund for property owners near the Point Mugu base. “This boils down to 486 [flights in and out of Point Mugu] a day, 365 days a year, forever.”

Point Mugu officials are cautiously optimistic about the fighters, which are most likely to end up at Lemoore in the San Joaquin Valley, an area with miles of unpopulated stretches of land where the planes can undergo flight practice.

Local officials sent representatives to make their pitch for Point Mugu, which they hope will also be chosen as the site for four squadrons--or 16 planes--of E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.

The E-2Cs, which travel with aircraft carrier battle groups to provide air traffic control assistance, are now based at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

“I . . . want to state my strong personal support for the preservation and enhancement of the Navy’s important mission in Ventura County,” county Supervisor John K. Flynn said in a statement read by an aide. “The possible relocation of the E-2 wing from Miramar, as well as the possible basing of the F-18 E/F aircraft, promotes and adds important value to . . . Point Mugu, the Navy . . . and the American taxpayer.”

Last fall, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) lobbied the Navy’s top admiral in charge of the Pacific Fleet to consider bringing the planes to Point Mugu. And local officials have formed a lobbying group to keep in constant communication with Washington and military officials to support the relocation.

The Hawkeye fleet of planes could bring up to 1,100 jobs to the Navy base and help secure its future in case of another round of base closures, officials have said.

A preliminary Navy recommendation suggested sending the Hawkeyes to Lemoore, and a final decision is expected within a week, officials say.