Navy accepting input on helicopter training plan

The Navy has completed its draft assessment on replacing the TH-57 Sea Ranger training helicopter at Whiting. [FILE PHOTO]

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA —The Navy has completed a Draft Environmental Assessment for the replacement of the TH-57 Sea Ranger training helicopter system with the Advanced Helicopter Training System at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. 

The Navy proposes to modernize its rotary-wing and tilt-rotor pilot training program at Training Air Wing Five at Whiting, and its respective helicopter training Navy Outlying Landing Fields in Florida. 

The AHTS would involve the replacement of TH-57 Sea Ranger training helicopters and existing simulators; an increase in operational training tempo; changes in operational tactics based on a new curriculum; construction of temporary and permanent supporting facilities; and an increase in personnel.

The change will address the capability and capacity gaps of the aging TH-57 helicopter training system at Whiting. The AHTS would provide the wing with a newer, more capable, more reliable training system. It would also meet advanced helicopter and intermediate tilt-rotor training requirements through 2050.

A copy of the draft is available for viewing at www.nepa.navy.mil/ahts and at the following libraries:

PACE: Pace Library, 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

MILTON: Milton Library, 5541 Alabama St.

PENSACOLA: Pensacola Library, 239 N. Spring St.; Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave.; Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. Ninth Ave.; Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway; Westside Branch Library, 1301 W. Gregory St.

CENTURY: Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Blvd.

MOLINO: Molino Branch Library, 6450-A Highway 95A.

Public comments on the Draft EA will be considered in the Final Environmental Assessment. Comments must be postmarked or received online no later than July 19.

Submit written comments at www.nepa.navy.mil/ahts or mail to AHTS EA Project Manager, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Attn: Code EV22TW, 6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Navy accepting input on helicopter training plan