North Country To See Increase In Military Flight Training

Fort Drum announced Tuesday that the Syracuse-based 174th Fighter Wing will increase its night flying training activity south of Watertown and Fort Drum during the month of May.

Carthage, Lowville and Gouverneur, communities which usually see plenty of military aircraft, will also be affected.

The flying is to train pilots for missions they will fly later this year, while deployed overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom.

The 174th Fighter Wing routinely uses Fort Drum and Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield for training operations.

According to Fort Drum, north country residents may notice an increase in the amount of night flying which is normal during the spring and summer months.

However, because of the very demanding flying environment deployed pilots will be operating in, the additional day and night training is essential.

The increased training will ensure that pilots are safe and proficient in all aspects of the mission prior to deploying later this year, Fort Drum said.

Comments

2 Responses to “North Country To See Increase In Military Flight Training”

Keith Kilgore on May 14th, 2008 10:48 am

I live next to the Army Airfield. The roar of the aircraft sounds like freedom to me. Makes me sleep better too! God Bless our Aviators!
Dave Lacks on May 14th, 2008 4:27 pm

Hey, if these men and women want to use my backyard for training, there are more than welcome do it! I don’t consider my area (Gouverneur) “affected” by their increased flights; rather, we should be thankful that these men and women do what they do. No matter what “side” of the war issue you are on, these people deserve absolutely every thanks, accomodation, and ounce of gratitude we can afford them. And for those who say that “nobody forced them, they volunteered?” Yup, exactly right! They VOLUNTEERED, which makes them deserving of a grateful public.