Where Things Stand
Here’s what we know. The FAA closed its public comment period on September 19, 2025, after Peaceful Gila Skies, Peaceful Chiricahua Skies, and thousands of you submitted comments opposing the Air Force’s plan to expand low-altitude and supersonic training across southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico. The Air Force had projected releasing the Final Environmental Impact Statement in spring 2026, with a Record of Decision to follow in summer 2026 — but as of today, neither has been published, and the project website shows no update beyond the closed comment period.
In other words, we’re in a holding pattern. But that’s not a bad thing! Every month without a Record of Decision is another month this airspace stays as it is, and another month we have to keep building support. We’re closely monitoring the Air Force’s project site and Federal Register notices for any movement, and we’ll share news the moment there’s something to share.
What you can do right now:
- Sign up for our mailing list to get notified the instant the Final EIS or Record of Decision drops — don’t wait for us to catch you up after the fact.
- Share this page with neighbors, pilots, and anyone in the affected communities who hasn’t heard about this yet.
- Stay ready. When the Final EIS is released, there may be a limited window to respond before the Record of Decision is finalized, and we’ll need people mobilized fast.
Background on the Proposal
What the Proposal Includes
The Air Force’s plan would authorize:
- Thousands of additional low-elevation fighter jet maneuvers
- Low-elevation supersonic flights causing sonic booms (as low as 5,000 feet)
- Subsonic flights to as low as 100 feet above ground
- Dropping of flammable flares at low elevation
These proposed military training exercises would impact dozens of rural communities, affect 30 tribes and pueblos with traditional ties to the area, and subject millions of acres of federal public lands to increased noise, pollution, and fire risk.
If you would like more information about the aviation impacts, please contact us at peacefulgilaskies@gmail.com.
Why This Matters
The Air Force must not shift the burden of risk from existing training areas to rural and tribal communities in southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico. Military combat training should be restricted to areas like the Barry M. Goldwater Range where it’s already happening, rather than expanding over communities, wilderness areas, and tribal lands.
Stay informed: Visit peacefulgilaskies.com for updates, or sign up for our mailing list to receive direct notifications about developments in this issue.
