Plan to use N.D. skies for training on hold

[unhappycamper]

Plan to use N.D. skies for training on hold
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jan 7, 2008 19:15:43 EST

FARGO, N.D. — A plan to turn North Dakota skies into a big military training zone is on the back burner while the Air Force considers its training needs, a National Guard official says.

“There’s so much new technology coming out and in the development stages, they’re not sure exactly what a lot of their requirements are going to be for air space,” Col. Bud Hensel said.

The air space initiative, which has been discussed for about five years, would use North Dakota air space to train with the B-2 bomber and other stealth aircraft. Officials said North Dakota’s size and wide-open spaces would make it ideal for such training.

The proposal originally was criticized by Northwest Airlines officials, who said they were not consulted on the plan and that it could lead to cuts in service to some North Dakota cities. State officials said those questions were addressed in later meetings.

A state task force formed to work on the proposal included representatives from the government, military and aviation industry.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_ndtraining_080107/