Encroachments on individual rights and assaults on the environment and quality of life proceed from so many directions that efforts to throw up protective boundaries seem futile. And yet dedicated citizens keep trying.
One issue that won’t go away is the redundancy of overhead military flights. “(Davis-Monthan) is Turning Tucson Into One Gigantic Airbase” was the title of an op-ed written by me that was published in the Arizona Daily Star years ago, and in a recent Tucson Weekly, Molly McKasson and Dave Devine addressed the threat of much louder planes possibly being based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base or the Tucson International Airport. Air Force data estimates that F-35s will triple noise levels of the loudest planes currently flying here.
The late Dr. Herbert K. Abrams mocked our City Council’s eager support for blind obedience to the military mentality: “The council’s advice to midtown folks: Soundproof your home. Stay in your house. Keep your children indoors. Don’t enjoy Arizona’s beauty. Make your home a bunker.”
Evading decibel readings, our mayor and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords act as if the country will fall apart if the Air Force relies on nonurban space. Our governor, who also attacks auto-emissions limits, is lobbying to get F-35s based both at Luke Air Force Base and in Tucson, as if her ideal dystopia needs pollution from both streets and the sky. And now, even though one historic Davis-Monthan jet crash incinerated lives directly across from the UA Recreation Center, and the university is directly under a flight path, President Robert Shelton has weighed in with approval of F-35s in Tucson.
Our politicians act as if their sole responsibility is to boost corporate profits, as we go on guzzling oil in every way possible, all around and over us. Diplomacy is often forsaken, with both hostile nations and fellow citizens. Tucson was long a haven for those who seek health, fresh air and peace of mind. But that reputation will be severely impacted if our city becomes famous for intolerable, ear-shattering noise and bad air, conditions linked to the exacerbation of many medical conditions. Ironically, boosters of the military agenda, in the name of economic prosperity, are putting Tucson’s traditional attractions at hazard.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of the Military Industrial Complex as a dominant threat to America’s future, but we have become so subservient to it that activism against its excesses is stigmatized as unpatriotic. Surely we should be wary of propaganda and mind-shattering reminders of the dominance of the military. Isn’t that power maintained by keeping the public scared to death—scared of honoring their own needs, and scared of speaking up to foes of their happiness?
Is it unpatriotic to urge mitigation of torture from the skies? A suicide by a D-M pilot reminded us that such incidents could take place over the city as easily as elsewhere. Despite this and other issues, concerns have been politicized and polarized more with ideological red herrings than study of realities and risks.
Nick Taylor, in a 2006 Authors Guild Bulletin, wrote of a 1946 Supreme Court case, U.S. v Causby: “North Carolina chicken farmers … had a problem. … Their farm was near a military airport, and their chickens were all a-cackle over big, noisy, heavy bombers taking off and landing right over their heads. They were frightened, sick and dying. The farmers had the temerity to assert their air rights over their farm on behalf of their chickens, to prevent the takeoffs and landings. … The air space required for air travel was a commons available to all citizens, but the farmers had rights, too, essentially the common law right to the beneficial use of their property. Since this was taken away, the court ruled in favor of the farmers” and gave them compensation for their losses.
Aren’t we citizens in Tucson in the same position as those chickens?
Are assaults on ears and health really “the sound of freedom” or of needless environmental destruction? Doesn’t the Air Force already have plenty of nonurban space where they could operate? If the goal is to protect Americans, why not think of citizens who live under flight paths? And think of our planet, which needs nurturing rather than more torture.
“What kind of community do we live in, where thousands must fear their Air Force?” Dr. Abrams asked. And the question is ever more urgently relevant today.
David Ray is a Tucson author and professor (www.davidraypoet.com).
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2010.
David, you are forgetting one thing. We hear talk about quality of life, protection of freedom, etc etc etc. But the one unspoken word by any of these people is the ONLY critical one: MONEY!
Thanks David Ray! We’re good Americans supporting our nation, but to have these extreme weapons (F-35s) flying over/close to this densely populated city makes NO SENSE – there are other better sites. Our legislators whould be protecting us from damage by our own USAF, instead of encouraging it! F-35’s’ noise will cause horrific declines in property values as well as dangerous damage to our health ( increased risks of severe cardiac and stroke/bloodpressure conditions and dangers). Other communties in US have already sued USAF and localities for these harms and financial losses. Most of the “supporters” live far away from the takeoff and landing flight paths from D-M and TIA, and have never documented their claims re “economic benefit” to Tucson – whereas the economic damage by F-35 effects, to Tucson’s affected residents and small businesses, is well documented. WHY SHOULD LIVES, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES OF MANY THOUSANDS OF TUCSON RESIDENTS under the flight takeoffs and landings BE SACRIFICED for D-M and USAF’s plans and planes? From HB, not yet totaly deaf but fearful of becoming so under F-35s (as already documented by medical studies, USAF’s own statemeents etc). Ref: http://tucsonforward.com…………………..
I am a Vietnam veteran and I have to disagree with the positions given here so far. I enjoy the sounds of military aircraft in our skies overhead. They are the sound of our National Freedom which many of you seem to feel is unimportant if it inconveniences you personally in any way. The young men and women who VOLUNTEER to serve in our military deserve to be able to train in areas that afford them the best flying conditions and ability to hone their skills. I recommend to all of you that you read Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “Tommy”. It is still the best statement of how civilians feel about the military forces that serve to protect them that I have ever read.
Mr. Gail H. Skinner
U. S. Navy [1965-1970]
I am appalled by the noise of the planes. I’ve never heard such noise before. Also, I hear them and think, “What if they were bombing me?” like we bomb people in other countries. What if my apt. exploded and I was killed? If I were not killed I’d be terrorized like all the people living with the terror of our drones, planes and bombs in other countries. This militarism has got to stop!!!
Thanks David Ray! I am part of a large miltary family (Go Army) and my husband is an AF brat. We support our military. What is happening in Tucson has more to do with GREED on behalf of the business community who want to sell more motorcycles, serve more beer, and relocate more military families in and out of Tucson. The mayor and the business community don’t care about anything but money and a nice life in the foothills. (Incidently, I hear that from the foothills the military planes flying around look cool).
Mr. Skinner may enjoy the noise, but most citizens do not. How we wish we could have the same rights as chickens!
The base has flight paths listed online and an online complaint forms for planes that don’t adhere to the established paths. Each day, the pilots, whether snowbirds or not, violate the designated flight paths and upset homeowners, tourists, golfers and zoo animals.
I recently read a noise study that showed women have a 172% greater risk for stroke when exposed to daytime jet noise. The study can be seen here: http://www.aef.org.uk/?p=988
The pilots are flying lower than the 2800 feet stated and they are consistently banking north of 22nd Street and Alvernon which of their flight path. If they would only keep to their mission…Makes you wonder what they’ll do if there are more flights, if the F-35 comes to town, and if there is less accountability.
Oh, to be a chicken in North Carolina, 1947 (!).
For what it’s worth, I am also a veteran (of the Korean War.) How does that say anything about the argument? The “sound of freedom” some purport to hear is the sound of indebtedness to the Chinese, the Saudis, the banksters. At $31,000 an hour to fly this weapons system which has no utility for the foreseeable future it is pure boondoggle. Spending those billions for development, procurement, and modification at this time of national economic crisis is like the behavior of a drunken sailor spending money borrowed from the shipboard loan shark to pretend to a manliness he cannot attain any other way. He can bluster and strut but the only person he almost fools is himself.
While some car salesmen and developers, those who wish to suck some of the money (not easily done) from their pockets (like fund raising university presidents,) who live in the foothills over which the planes will not likely fly expect to profit, the rest of us will see whatever equity we have left in our homes drop ever so much more. If you believe their pap about how much it will help the economy, I have a plane to sell you.
…quality of life?…here?
Go, Luke! Go, Boise! Go, Go Alamagodo!
Next time you hear the earth-shaking, ear-splitting noise from one of the F-16s or F22s from Tucson’s Davis-Monthan airbase, look up and consider that the newest Air Force plane will make four times that amount of noise. Notice the full complement of armaments strapped to the underside of that plane, all of them armed, some of them nuclear-tipped, and all capable of reducing much of Tucson to a large hole in the ground. These flights are accidents waiting to happen, as has occurred before in the DM flight path, and which will occur again.
A matter completely avoided in the discussion of why these planes don’t belong in Tucson is the notoriety this country has gained in this century for its strategy of pre-emptive strikes. This country is viewed as inherently hostile by most of world. Likewise, never discussed is the Electronic Order of Battle (EOB). EOB kicks in when thresholds of defense tolerance are exceeded: EOB cannot be modified or halted. It has the precise coordinates of Tucson, AZ entered on certain ICBMs. Ask any retired spy. Combine that atmosphere of hostility with the ability to trigger automatic nuclear warfare, and you have the frightening possibility of nuclear holocaust.
These facts are not lost on America’s enemies. Tucson’s name is written on ICBMs in Russia, China, and presumed allies in the Mid East. Because of Davis-Monthan, Tucson is a powerful magnet for nuclear exchange. I for one do not want to be held nuclear hostage – nor do I want my family similarly held – to whatever the latest version of Dr. Strangelove may be.
STOP THE NOISE – CLOSE THE BASE!
Dr. Richard E. Dale
David Ray had me on board until he suggested the planes fly over non-urban areas. I live in another river valley and still have to put up with the daily noise of helicopters and airplanes doing donuts over my head. The noise should not be foisted upon non-urban people and animals either. I’m with Richard Dale. Just close the base, as the government suggested after the BRAC report.
For all who speak negatively concerning jet noise, you have your freedom due to the men and women flying and maintaining those aircraft, MOVE!
While we are at it there is ANOTHER very SERIOUS and EXTREMELY dangerous issue we have to address here.
WE have a lot of incoming and out going aircraft constantly over OUR neighborhoods. These aircraft are LOADED with PEOPLE and EXPLOSIVE jet fuel…AND there coming and going into TIA (Tucson International Airport). A DISASTER awaiting to happen..When these things CRASH it is CATASTROPHIC!! They are over POPULATED areas of TUCSON..Ever give that a serious thought, folks?? We HAVE BEEN LUCKY…Over worked, poorly trained and so on…IT CAN HAPPEN HERE… WHY is this airport with it’s flightpaths over TUCSON neighborhoods ALLOWED to continue…THIS ALSO needs to be addressed!
We also have HELICOPTERS buzzing all over TUCSON, DPS, MEDICAL and whoever…NOISE!!!! Live near a hospital and have your PEACE and QUIET and windows rattled by these then YOU KNOW what I mean…There have been a lot of copter crashes in the news recently…Scares the heck out of me…
The military is taking over TUCSON? OK, what did I miss??? Who BUILT all the HOUSES next to, around and in the flight paths of DMAFB??? WHO was STUPID enough to BUY a HOUSE in that area?? You were that STUPID??
DID I MISS SOMETHING??? Was DM just suddenly DROPPED into it’s CURRENT LOCATION, like over night?? WHO got RICH off all these houses built around an ACTIVE AFB??
I guess I am MISSING THE STREETS RUNNING RAMPANT with ARMED MILITARY members
FORCING there WAYS and CONTROLLING TUCSON… WHAT a JOKE some of you are…Get off your bongs and get real. The USAF is providing TUCSON’S economy a lot…AND the WAY this wonderful economy is in THANK GOODNESS there here, NOW. Let’s get rid of DMAFB and ALL ASPECTS of it’s involvement and while were at it Raytheon has got to go..THERE economic benefits ain’t needed, right… And all you WILL GLADLY pick up the LOST REVENUES, increased TAXES, etc…???
Hey, I crave PEACE and wish WE DIDN’T need a MILITARY….KEEP on DREAMIN, people it is JUST ain’t GOING happen..GIVE PEACE A CHANCE..great concept in an UTOPIAN Society…Remember my fellow Tucsonians, YOU live in State and CITY where ALMOST every other resident is walking around with a REAL LIVE LOADED gun on there side!!! AND THAT DOESN’T SCARE YOU??
Oh yeah aircraft flying around with NUKES on board…Another pathetic fantasy..
AGAIN show me this PROOF on how USAF is in control of Tucson, Calling all the shots? When ALL the nimrods elected to office in this city are clueless on how to make TUCSON WORK…Rio Nuevo?
Piss POOR streets ( getting across town in this day and age an ABSOLUTE outdated nightmare). HOW many EMPTY commercial properties? Ball teams leaving, Gem and Mineral THREATENING to leave if they don’t get THERE WAY and ON AND ON.. ( All MILITARY created issues I’ll bet for further control of TUCSON I’ll bet ya!)
Get rid of the Air Force cause of noise, etc…Then TIA issues SHOULD be the NEXT item, SERIOUSLY, HELICOPTERS, seriously…TRAIN traffic…NOISE….gone, seriously!!
If the MILITARY “control” of TUCSON is SO BAD..It MIGHT in your best interest TO MOVE really soon before THEY GET YOU ALL!!
G E T R E A L. Noise…It is going to happen…SIRENS…Idiots with LOUD car stereos…LOUD cars exhausts…MOTORCYCLES….the BAND practices at U of A ( people HAVE called and complained ABOUT THIS ISSUE!!) and so on…I can AND DO LIVE with it and I HAVE A HECK of A LOT of OTHER much more SERIOUS issues in my life…And a lot you should be worrying about TUCSON’S economic future and viability.. Thank goodness that there is DMAFB, the 162nd at TIA and so-on…The world AIN’T perfect, we AIN’T perfect and there are a lot of folks out there that would would wish to do us wrong for what ever reason…It’s JUST THE WAY IT IS!!!!
To those of you that are appalled by the noise of the planes, maybe you would be happier living in a country where your freedoms were not supported… then you would not have to worry about planes… maybe a human bomb wouldn’t hurt your ears because you would not be around to hear it! Get a clue and quit being so selfish… – you are free to go live where ever you want but don’t put down what is keeping you from being physically terrorized, not just what is in your head. I cannot believe the smallness of people who think like you do while our sons and daughters are risking their lives to protect you. God Bless America.
This is waste of space in writing. Its called Tucson needs to grow. Once again I understand why I stopped reading the Tucson Weekly years ago. This is crap. It is not about Tucson Greed. It is about a city trying to build stability within the Economy and DM does provide that. I have lived in Tucson for 30 years and never been put off by the sounds of the planes. You are the same people that protest Home Depots brining business the city and have scared off Spring training and the Gem Shows. Tucson will never grow due to the small mindedness of many Tucsonans. WE are the opposite of Reno NEvada. WE ARE THE LITTLEST BIG CITY IN THE WORLD.
OK all I have to say about this whinny crybaby crap about the planes disturbing the peace. First of all when you moved here did you or did you not know that there was a military base in Tucson? YES YOU DID. IF NOT YOUR A DUMBASS. Second of all when they built the base they put it out in the middle of the desert so that it wouldn’t bother the community. Third of all in my opinion Davis Monthan has given up more than enough for the community. Do you drive on Golflinks from Craycroft to Aviation? do your kids play sports at Golflinks Park? All that area was part of the Air force base. If you don’t like the noise from our safety, security,and freedom shut the hell up and move. For all of you out there that think I don’t have a right 2 my opionion screw you. I have lived here my whole life of 35 yrs. and guess what they have all been around the east side of the base from Irvington to the North Wilmot Gate. So I repeat. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE NOISE SHUT THE F UP AND MOVE OUT OF TUCSON.
While we get rid of the aircraft noise, let us also do away with the vehicular noise. Those loud stereos and mufflers are killing us. Noise from vehicles has gotten four times worse than is was before. Those aircraft are thousands of feet above our heads but those cars are right next to us on the road and they drive within feet of our homes. And most of the noise comes from drug addicts and gun-toten drunks who kill anyone for telling them to be quiet. Come on city of Tucson, let’s rid our streets of unwanted, noisy and dangerous cars/trucks/buses. I say we pass a bill that eliminates all motor vehicles from the streets of Tucson. We can bike, walk or ride horses through town. Let’s not stop with the aircraft, lets rid ourselves of all the noise once and for all.
I was in Tucson at D-M from 1966 through 1969. I can’t imagine anything being much louder that the F4Cs I worked on. Haven’t been back there in a long time but I would be will to bet that the residential areas have been creeping nearer and nearer to the air base since then. The typical tactic is to move in to new developments and then gripe about all the noise. If you knew the base was there when you moved in, you’ve got no bitch coming