What is the Navy evaluating?

The proposed action evaluated in the DEIS incorporates the following:

  • Replace retiring P-3C aircraft beginning no later than 2012;
  • Provide facilities and functions at established maritime patrol homebases to support the homebasing of 12 P-8A MMA squadrons (72 aircraft) and 1 fleet replacement squadron (12 aircraft);   
  • Periodically detach squadrons to Naval Air Station North Island;
  • Construct and renovate support facilities required for the new aircraft.

The proposed action would include homebasing 84 aircraft, including one fleet replacement squadron comprised of 12 aircraft.  This DEIS evaluates the environmental consequences associated with homebasing P-8A MMA squadrons, including construction and renovation of support facilities required for the aircraft.  In addition, the DEIS assesses impacts on each community and economy associated with introductions and reductions of personnel to the area to support P-8A MMA squadrons.

Why is the aircraft transition necessary?

The purpose of the proposed action is to provide facilities and functions to support homebasing of P-8A MMA at established maritime patrol homebases. This would allow the Navy to: 

  1. efficiently and economically retire P-3C aircraft and transition P-8A MMA into the fleet
  2. maintain a maritime patrol capability that sustains national defense objectives and policies.

The P-8A MMA has been specifically designed to replace the P-3C, enabling it to become the next generation Navy maritime patrol aircraft with increased mission capabilities. The P-8A MMA offers advantages over the P-3C in that it would increase mission reliability while requiring a smaller force and less maintenance infrastructure than current P-3C aircraft.  The transition from P-3C to P-8A MMA will begin no later than 2012.


Aircraft Comparative Summary

The following graphics illustrate the differences between existing P-3C and P-8A MMA. P-8A MMA is a larger aircraft, which allows for in-flight refueling capabilities (able to receive fuel only, not capable of refueling other aircraft or unloading fuel in flight), and the provision of an extended range and on-station capabilities.

P-8A MMA is a derivative of the 737 commercial aircraft equipped with systems capable of performing the current and future maritime patrol force missions. 

P3-C  Orion P-8A MMA

Alternatives

The Navy is currently evaluating four installations for P-8A MMA basing alternatives.  The aircraft will be homebased at established maritime patrol homebases for P-3C aircraft . The following Navy and Marine Corps installations have been identified as potential receiver sites:

Naval Air Station Jacksonville

Commissioned on October 15, 1940, NAS Jacksonville occupies 3,896 acres in Jacksonville, Florida (Duval County) west of the St. Johns River and approximately 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. NAS Jacksonville employs approximately 18,000 active duty and civilian personnel. It is a multi-mission base hosting more than 100 tenant commands. This installation serves as the host for the Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven and Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30), the FRS for the P-3C.

NAS Jacksonville hosts six assigned squadrons of P-3C aircraft and one FRS. This base also hosts a detachment of the Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Atlantic Fleet, and five squadrons of SH-60/HH-60/MH-60 helicopters. Additionally, an operational squadron of C-40 aircraft (the 18 military cargo and passenger variant of the Boeing 737) operates from NAS Jacksonville.

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Commissioned on September 21, 1942, NAS Whidbey Island is 50 miles north of Seattle, Washington, next to the city of Oak Harbor in Whidbey Island. Whidbey Island forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound and is located at the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. NAS Whidbey Island employs more than 9,000 military and civilian personnel. The air station is home to 19 active duty squadrons, two reserve squadrons, and numerous tenant commands. NAS Whidbey Island provides land-based support and training (including airspace, operating areas, and ranges) for all of the Navy’s active duty EA-6B (being replaced by EA-18G) and EP-3 aircraft squadrons and the West Coast Fleet P-3C patrol and reconnaissance aircraft squadrons. The station also supports a Navy Reserve P-3C and a C-9 squadron in addition to the air station’s MH-60S search-and-rescue helicopters. Tenant commands include Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten and Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific.

Naval Air Station North Island

North Island was commissioned as a Naval Air Station in 1917. Bordering the city of Coronado on Coronado Island in the San Diego Bay and occupying 5,000 acres, it can homeport up to three Navy aircraft carriers. NAS North Island employs more than 21,000 active duty and reserve military and civilian personnel and is host to 16 squadrons and 80 additional tenant commands and activities. The base mission is to provide aviation support for the U.S. Pacific Fleet and other operating forces. NAS North Island has no assigned P-3C squadron; however, NAS North Island does host P-3C detachments for training at Southern California ranges. The airfield has more than 155 permanently assigned aircraft, including MH-60S Knighthawks, SH-60B Seahawks, C-2A Greyhounds, and several variants of the C-12, and C-40s.

Marine Core Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay

First commissioned as a Naval Air Station in 1941, MCBH Kaneohe Bay was re-commissioned on January 15, 1952, as a Marine Corps base. MCBH Kaneohe Bay is located on Mokapu Peninsula, which connects to Oahu, on the windward side, near the communities of Kaneohe and Kailua. The base is approximately 12 miles northeast of Honolulu. MCBH Kaneohe Bay employs approximately 11,200 active duty Navy, Marine Corps, and civilian personnel. The installation is home to the 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Aircraft Group 24, and the 3rd Radio Battalion. This installation supports three assigned squadrons of P-3C aircraft and MH-60, SH-60, and C-20 aircraft. Tenant commands include Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two.

Alternatives Considered But Eliminated

Hickam Air Force Base (AFB) was initially considered as a potential homebase or permanent detachment site for the P-8A MMA in Hawaii. As such, the Air Force participated in the development of this EIS as a cooperating agency. An Air Force siting study identified significant concerns regarding the viability of alternatives and subsequent analysis identified two reasons why Hickam AFB does not meet the purpose and need.

First, all alternatives that would site P-8A MMA at Hickam AFB are not operationally feasible because ordnance handling and storage operations under all alternatives would exceed DoD explosive safety criteria. Explosive safety arcs for P-8A MMA operations at Hickam AFB would impinge on the Honolulu International Airport runway, and the increased risks to military personnel and the public would require a dual waiver from the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force. The waiver must document that no reasonable alternative sites exist where explosive safety criteria can be met for the proposed action. Under the proposed action, another alternative does exist at MCBH Kaneohe Bay that remains a viable alternative as a homebase or detachment site for the P-8A MMA in Hawaii.

Secondly, there is a lack of developable land and infrastructure to support the homebasing or detachment alternative at Hickam AFB. The Air Force siting survey determined there is no space available at Hickam AFB to construct a ramp capable of supporting three P-8A MMA fleet squadrons at the base. An Installation Restoration Program (IRP) site is the only land available for construction of hangar and ramp space to support either two squadrons or detachment alternatives. Remediation of the IRP site would require the excavation, disruption, transfer, and placement of 3 acres of contaminated soil. Additionally, the site survey was unable to identify developable land to support the required Fleet Training Center facilities at Hickam  AFB in conjunction with homebasing two or three fleet squadrons.

A Navy study validated the Air Force siting study findings. Based on the above factors and the availability of an existing P-3C homebase infrastructure at MCBH Kaneohe Bay that can meet the purpose and need under all alternatives, the Hickam AFB alternatives were eliminated from further analysis.