JBLM to conduct test firing of HIMARS RRPR in March

JBLM announced today it plans to conduct test firing of up to 27 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Reduced Range Practice Rockets (RRPR) over a three-day period at JBLM during the week of March 14-18 to measure the noise from the rocket firing.

In March 2015, JBLM initiated an Environmental Assessment (EA) to measure the level of noise that would be created by a field artillery unit executing the RRPR test firing. Today, the JBLM Garrison Commander signed the Finding of No Significant Impact for the EA entitled “Noise Assessment for Test Launches of the Reduced Ranged Practice Rocket at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.”

“I have decided that the information and data we will obtain from a series of test firing of the RRPR at JBLM is valuable enough to authorize this action to move forward,” said, Col. Daniel S. Morgan, JBLM garrison commander.

During the proposed test firing, a HIMARS battery will fire up to nine RRPR a day — one at a time — for three days.

The RRPR would be fired in the morning, afternoon, and evening each day from the Hayes Hill firing point southeast into JBLM’s Lewis-Main Artillery Impact Area. The firing point is located about a half-mile east of I-5; and north of I-5 exit 114.

The exact firing dates and times will be publicized prior to the test firings.
JBLM will host an open house to explain the test firing and noise monitoring process prior to the scheduled live firing dates.

RRPR Characteristics: Reduced range rockets (RRPRs) have a range of 5-9 miles and they do not carry any explosives. The rockets reach supersonic velocity in about one second and remain supersonic for about 3.7 miles. The rockets will hit their targets in about 5-6 seconds. For the JBLM test firings the rockets will fly at an altitude of 1,300 feet. RRPRs are unarmed, blunt-nose, high-drag rockets. All fuel is expended within 2-3 seconds after launch, so the rocket will be an empty shell on impact.

Anticipated Noise Level: Noise levels directly under the rockets’ flight path may exceed 140 decibels. Sonic booms may occur. For the RRPR test firing, noise monitoring equipment will be strategically placed around the rockets’ flight path. Noise data from these devices will be gathered to assess the rocket noise throughout the testing region. If noise levels exceed an average of 130 decibels a day (e.g., based on the average noise level of nine rockets) at any monitoring station then stopping the tests will be considered.

The EA and FNSI will be available HERE.

Fight for 16,000 Jobs. ACT NOW!

Monday, August 25 is the FINAL day public comments will be accepted about our concerns of the possible reduction of 16,000 military and civilian jobs at JBLM.  See Washington State's impact here.

THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY, AUGUST 25.

The easiest way for you to comment is online by filling out a comments form available here.

If you've not seen much about the issue, you can view some news articles on the Chamber's blog page here.

Ways to comment:
1.    Online
2.    Email comments
       Use Subject:  SPEA for Army2020 Force Structure Realignment
3.    Postal mail: 
         U.S. Army Environmental Command
         ATTN: SPEA Public Comments
         2450 Connell Road (Building 2264)
        Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7664     

        Re: SPEA for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment

Linked is a SPEA comment letter template you may use.  There is also a "talking points" paper to assist you.  You may review on this link to learn more about SPEA.

Please forward this notice to others to encourage everyone in writing public comments.

Public Comments Needed on JBLM SPEA

The Army recently completed a 2014 Supplemental Programmatic Environment Assessment (SPEA), which poses that Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) could lose up to 16,000 military and civilian jobs.

UPDATE (8-18-2014): You can easily submit online a Public Comment regarding the U.S. Army's proposed reductions at JBLM, click here.

UPDATE (7-28-2014):  See The News Tribune story this date about CASA Maj. Gen. James Collins, USA, retired, and his comments on the Army SPEA. 

The News Tribune first published this story on June 26 here. 

You'll recall that the South Sound recently lost the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team.  This reduction was the result of the initial 2013 Programmatic Environment Assessment (PEA).

The Army is now accepting public comments so everyone can express their concerns about the potential loss of 16,000 military and civilian jobs.  Why is this important?  During the initial 2013 PEA, the Fort Polk community started a letter writing campaign and submitted 4,300 public comments, resulting in a loss of 250 personnel.   In 2013, our region sent in one letter co-signed by local governments and agencies, and we lost an entire brigade. 

We need your help in writing a public comment.  You can do this via email or posted mail.  THE DEADLINE IS AUGUST 25, 2014. 

Attached is a SPEA comment letter template (Word document) you can use.  There is also a “talking points” paper to assist you.  You may review on this link to learn more about SPEA.

While writing your email/letter, you should include specific impacts on your business/community should we lose 16,000 soldiers and civilian jobs.  A good gauge would be when JBLM had 19,000 soldiers deployed last year.  How much revenue did you lose or employees did you layoff compared to a more robust year when the troops were home?

Please make sure you send copies of your email or letters to ALL the representatives listed with their contact info after the letter template, depending upon the Congressional District you reside in or have your business in.

Please also forward this to others to encourage everyone into writing public comments.

(Click on Image to see a larger size and the complete letter from Cong. Denny Heck.)

Community Comments on Forces Reduction EA

The Army issued for public comments an environmental assessment for a service-wide across-the-board reduction in uniformed military personnel, to be accomplished by 2020.

The local communities, composed of jurisdictions from Pierce and Thurston Counties and local private sector organizations, have replied to that request for comments (see following):

(Click on images for a larger view)