Morgan, keep in mind that even when there is no war in the world, training must go on.   Also, though Ft Lewis does have a runway, it isn't used to the extent that McChord's runway is used...they are both very close to each other, but slightly different flight paths.......and Ft Lewis's runway will probablly have more C-130 (Prop) type aircraft landing.....once in a blue moon, there might be a C-17 (Jet) aircraft flying into there, but not too often with McChord being a bus ride away next door.  They actually do care alot about noise and the public and they are constinently trying to keep the public content with their activity, but unfortunately not everyone will be happy, especially if you live right below the final approach for one of the runways.   You can only do so much to adjust flight paths....

Last edited by rich (2007-04-18 14:50:47)

Morgan, there aren’t too many things I have found that I disagree with you on, and am passionate about some of the same things as you.  And as a friend, I post this with all due respect and friendship.  But I have to say I have a totally different opinion, for several reasons.  Fortunately, my time constraint here will keep me from babbling and listing them all, but while I also despise how we got into the war, for 14 years I’ve had no problem sleeping right under the C-17 flight path (much louder 141’s and the occasional C5 before that).  These pilots, crew, and loadmasters are unsung heroes.  I’m sitting in a cushy bed while they’re flying long, long hours transporting men and materials, and yes, even serving many humanitarian and scientific missions (to the Antarctic, for example), while I get to sleep nightly in a cushy bed.  They routinely drop into short, dark runways at night, often under enemy fire, and frankly, they present a pretty sizeable target for the enemy.  They have to train to hone and maintain their skills somewhere, so who am I to complain?  If they have to be away from their families to insert soldiers, who themselves will spend the next 15 months in Iraq or in the flea-infested mountains of Afghanistan, while the worst thing I have to face is the I-5 traffic, I can put up with occasional noise at night.  And I have to say, neither of my kids have ever had a problem with the sounds from birth on, and it actually provides a lot fascination as the C-17 turn overhead.  In fact, we sometimes park near the airfield to watch them do their touch-and-goes.  I won’t go as far as to quote the often-posted sign that it is the sound of freedom, but come-on - the military has been here a lot longer than all of us.  Granted, I have to offer this disclaimer I grew up an Army brat and spent my formative years growing up close to the Grafenwohr training grounds, so it’s in my blood.  I vividly remember a few times hearing the sound of a helicopter crashing while on nighttime training.  (for more on life as a military brat, www.bratsfilm.com is excellent) I have no problem with the sounds of nighttime C-17’s, 135’s, P-3’s, or even the occasional EA6.  I admit I loved it when I saw a pair of transient A-10’s fly in the other night.  Really, in my opinion, Morgan, putting things in perspective, what’s a little noise?  (O.K., it's true - Noise is a pollutant, and can be a cause of stress.)  This comment may sound silly: but I think you will get used to it.  Don’t think of it as Bush’s planes keeping you awake.  Maybe think of it as freight trains going by – just a little bit higher.

Last edited by Dave L. (2007-04-19 15:16:49)

I have little to add here since I'm almost completely biased. I grew up under the mcchord flight path and lived there until I was about 25. I grew to love seeing the various aircraft fly over and still can't help but look up and identify each plane I see, often just picking it out by the sound it makes. I sincerely value having the bases around the Puget Sound and around Tacoma and would be very sad and disappointed to see them closed down. Not having these planes around, night or day, would be a very negative thing in my mind.

I feel sorry for the people who really can't sleep through the extra noise, but as a kid I was fascinated and completely caught up in the whole thing. The noise is simply a necessary evil for having these bases around.. and I for one will never complain.

It's the cloudy nights that they bother me since their approach feels like it's 3 feet above my roof top.  I think I sleep through most of the higher approaches and I've lived in the flight path for about 7 years now.  It is one of those things that isn't listed on the MLS when looking at property in this area. Morgan, just be glad Santa's sleigh is still deer powered.  We'd really be in trouble if he moved to one of these planes!