Leaders from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene began their tour of West Texas towns in Lamesa on Tuesday, trying to be the best neighbors possible.
“We are out here primarily for community outreach. We don’t do it enough. We want to get out and talk to the folks we fly over,” said Colonel Carl Fishbach, 7th operations group commander of Dyess Air Force Base.
The Lancer military operating area (MOA), the zone where they conduct aerial military training, spans a 40 mile by 80 mile rectangular zone between Lubbock and Abilene.
While the purpose of the meeting was to provide the community the opportunity to become informed and ask questions, Fishbach said they also announced changes coming.
“We do currently have low altitude routes in certain areas in the military operating areas. We are looking to expand some of the low altitude areas we would like to go to. Currently, we fly there about 700 feet in some of the areas, and we would like to expand some training opportunities and bring it down to 500 feet,” he said.
During the meeting involving Lamesa’s Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club, multiple members said they found it informative.
“I think it’s very important that we know what is going on. It’s good to have these people come out and keep us informed,” said Elwood Freeman, a member of the Lamesa Rotary Club.
The discussion allowed these clubs to ask questions about how the new airspace changes would affect their towns.
“I was curious about that fly low in their airspace, but they did answer a lot of as to why and how wide, how low they can fly … so that was really intriguing,” said Lee Casas, a member of Kiwanis Club in Lamesa.
Tuesday’s meeting in Lamesa was the first of eight destinations for the Air Force officials. Later in the afternoon, they spoke in Gail. Their future destinations this month include:
June 5: Snyder and Roby
June 12: Jayton and Aspermont
June 19: Tahoka and Post
For times and locations, contact the county judge’s office.
