Navy tries to keep lid on noise at Atsugi

Navy tries to keep lid on noise at Atsugi
By Chris Fowler, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, October 19, 2007


NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan — The Navy is doing its best to address noise abatement issues at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, officials said during field carrier landing practice on Iwo Jima Tuesday.

In an effort to reduce the impact of jet noise on people who live near Atsugi, the touch-and-go landing exercises will take place on Iwo Jima, “as much as weather and operational requirements make possible,” said Cmdr. David Waterman, a Navy spokesman.

The frequency of the landing practices depends on the schedule of the battle group, Waterman said.

“We will always conduct (them) prior to conducting (at-sea) carrier qualifications, which happen prior to the battle group deploying,” he said.

Lt. Cmdr. Ray Owens told a group of reporters observing Tuesday’s practice landings that the Navy has four landing strips available as alternate sites.

However, at times it is logistically better to direct aircraft to Atsugi rather than go to another location, he said.


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49593



uhc comment: Do we have any DUers near Atsugi? How bad is the noise?

it is no worse than living near an airport anywhere else in the world.