Summary Letter on F-35 Impact on Tucson

Dear DFA-Tucson supporters and other Tucson citizens, Last evening's monthly DFA meeting was very much a success. An overflow crowd of 75 activists heard four impassioned, detailed presentations on the scientific and political issues surrounding the prospect of basing the F35A Joint Strike Force jet fighter at Davis Monthan and our major commercial airport. The conclusions? 1. The F35 jet fighter should not be based in any populous community. 2. It will take a sustained protest effort on the part of a critical mass of Tucsonans to get the Air Force and local political representatives to reconsider Tucson as a basing site. The audience was "treated" to a demonstration of the noise-level differences between the F16, F18, and the F35. No one was left with any doubt as to the threat to our community of F35 noise pollution. The process of citizen involvement in creating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was explained. It was emphasized that good (damning) scientific data will not win the battle. It will take organized citizens, digging their heels in, to make the difference in the final outcome. Check out www.tucsonforward.com regularly for news and important dates. Reduction (mitigation) of the F35's noise levels affecting the 300,000 Tucsonans in the "sound shadow" is improbable, if not impossible, according to a retired air traffic controller who spent two decades serving both DM and TIA facilities. The runway configurations and topographical limitations make "new fixes" suggested by proponents wishful thinking. DFA-Tucson will continue to actively support the effort to educate Tucsonans on the probable impacts of implementing F35 basing here. Please inform your neighborhood associations of the need to become aware of this issue, consider taking official positions, and communicate with local council member on your position. This is the time for action. Next year will be too late.... For democracy, Dick Kaiser and Rick Graap, co-chairs Democracy for America - Tucson ===================================================================