Posted on 06/28/2011 7:28:29 AM PDT by LeoWindhorse
Gov. Abercrombie requires a review of helicopters' environmental impact, forcing an $11 million move to Colorado. The Army is shifting at least some high-altitude helicopter training from Hawaii to Colorado — at a taxpayer cost of up to $11 million — following an additional environmental review imposed by the state.
The regulatory process has already delayed training by four months, creating a tight deadline for Wheeler Army Airfield pilots preparing for a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan in January.
Now Gov. Neil Abercrombie has informed the Army it must conduct a state environmental assessment in addition to a federal environmental assessment to use six existing landing zones high on the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
The Army said it will comply, but is asking Abercrombie for permission as soon as possible so air crews of Wheeler's 25th Combat Aviation Brigade can train closer to home.
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WHAT an idiot. Hawaii’s revenue is in trouble as it IS...and he pulls this??? Lingle wouldn’t have done this...just sayin’
I smell the basis for a States Rights court battle here, one States Rights advocates could either win or if they lose, enjoy the revenge of watching dolts like this Governor sit and simmer in his own juices while the Armed Forces does what he doesn't like.
The military should pull all of it’s bases out of Hawaii. It won’t take 6 months for Hawaii to go in the toilet.
I’ve had it with Hawaii and its eco-nazis. Just got back from a vacation - you are not allowed to smoke on the 9th floor balcony w/ a 20 mph wind. They can keep it! They treat child molesters better than smokers.
A la Purto and the Viecas (sp?).
The locals were crying for US aid as soon as the navy range was closed. Screw ‘em.
Truthfully, I think the military should limit its actions around Hawaii to just naval ops, which could actually be expanded, and a small deployment at Scofield Barracks.
The reason they are doing more there is because they like the place, not for any real military training value they couldn’t do better elsewhere. If senior officers want to hang out in Hawaii, they should do so on their own dime.
As far as naval ops go, what the USN really *needs* is another Pacific deep water port. One that they have built from scratch, hopefully away from any major population center. And this would be a repair, refit, resupply and rearmament port as well.
Right now, the US is limited in the Pacific to Bremerton, Washington, and San Diego. Thus those two cities are extremely high on the target lists. But such a port in Hawaii could be an “armored” port, and hard as hell to attack.
Give the citizens of Hawaii what they want.
Wait until the “Whale Wars” idiots start protesting the “environmental impact” for cruise ship visits and the added sewage load from tourists who fly into the islands’ “fragile ecosystem”.
Yep. They asked for it. We in Colorado are more than happy to have their business. Plus, the Army choppers have been known to assist in rescues in these mountains and we are happy to have them.
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