PIERRE, S.D. — A proposal to establish an enormous bomber training area over the Northern Plains that advocates say will improve military training and save money got final approval Tuesday despite concerns about loud, low-flying aircraft disrupting civilian flights and damaging rural economies.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that it approved a plan to expand the Powder River Training Complex over the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming. The move nearly quadruples the training airspace to span across nearly 35,000 square miles, making it the largest over the continental U.S.
“This has been a very long process, but I'm proud we're finally completing this important expansion to provide our servicemen and women with the resources they need to be successful in a combat environment — all done while saving money,” South Dakota U.S. Sen. John Thune, who originally announced the plan's approval, said in a statement to The Associated Press.
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Source: Associated Press
Image courtesy of South Dakota U.S. Sen. John Thune
