Action Alert: Gila Under Threat | New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

Act Now! F-16 Training Threatens the Gila National Forest, Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness Areas and Surrounding Communities     Join the Rally Tuesday, November 14th, at 5pm outside of the Grant County Administration Building, 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City. Show your support for peaceful skies above the Gila.   Attend the Grant County Commission Special Meeting following the Rally at 6pm, Grant Co. Commission Chambers. Find out more about the proposal for expansion of F-16 training over the Gila region. Holloman AFB will present its proposal and answer questions from the Commissioners. The public is invited to attend, but will not be allowed to speak. Sign The Petition Submit Your Comments Donate Background Holloman Air Force Base is proposing to fly 10,000 training sorties above the Gila National Forest annually, including low-level flights at 500 feet above ground surface, as well as 1,000 supersonic sorties. The F-16's will also train with air defense systems that drop toxic chaff and 30,000 magnesium flares annually.   The human, wildlife and environmental impacts of this proposal could be severe. The extreme noise from low elevation overflights can be frightening, disruptive, and adversely affect the health of humans and wildlife. Chaff and flares introduce aluminum, plastic fibers and magnesium into the environment, with potential impacts to water quality and wildlife and increased risk of wild fire.   The Gila contains significant ecological, cultural, and historical values and is too sensitive to look and sound like a war zone. Military training is important, but this is not the appropriate place.

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, 142 Truman St. NE, Ste. B1, Albuquerque, NM 87108