Military Operations Down At Palm Springs International

Residents have told city officials for a year that the noise is unbearable, but over the past month, fewer military aircraft have taken off from or landed at Palm Springs International Airport, according to Councilman Paul Lewin, who along with Councilman Chris Mills, sits on a sub-committee assigned to investigating the noise.

The airport is only used for training missions, according to the U.S. Military.

The number of take-offs and landings increased from 2010 to 2011, but December was a good month, according to Lewin.

“I knew that there was an airport when I moved here,” said Joe Enos, who lives less than a mile away from the airport. “It can be really loud.”

Enos had no idea that U.S. Military aircraft, including F-18’s, used the airport for training purposes when he moved into his home six and a half years ago, he said.

Mike Luehring moved into the neighborhood six months ago, and he called the planes a nuisance.

“But for the last month, I’d say there’s been a slack off,” said Luehring. “Quite a bit of a slack off.”

The reason why is unclear, but in December there were 134 military operations, which is a decrease from the 215 in November, according to Lewin.

About three weeks ago, Mills and Lewin met with Congresswoman Mary Bono-Mack to discuss the noise.

Bono-Mack then wrote a letter to Leon Panetta, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, which asked for a clearer understanding on why non-military airports are used for training.

The City of Palm Springs is still waiting for a reply.

“Hopefully, they’ll find a happy medium and we won’t have an issue with it.” said Robert Thompson, a resident.

When Bono-Mack wrote the letter, 1,853 military operations had occured, which is almost 650 more than the year prior.