Major General Walter Piatt and his leadership team, including several representatives from the Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield operations, invited federal and state officials to Fort Drum this week to discuss the potential impact planned wind projects could have on future training operations at Fort Drum and the impact current wind farms are already having on operations.
The presentation included a trip to the air traffic control tower, where we were able to see some of the challenges presented by the wind towers on radar, the steps taken to mitigate those issues and the impact that mitigation has on operations. It was part on an on-going series of conversations I have had with Fort Drum leaders about this important issue,
This week's visit was very informative and helpful as I work on drafting legislation that would protect Fort Drum’s training capabilities by excluding wind turbine developments surrounding the installation and its training grounds from receiving state subsidies.
The presentation included a trip to the air traffic control tower, where we were able to see some of the challenges presented by the wind towers on radar, the steps taken to mitigate those issues and the impact that mitigation has on operations. It was part on an on-going series of conversations I have had with Fort Drum leaders about this important issue,
This week's visit was very informative and helpful as I work on drafting legislation that would protect Fort Drum’s training capabilities by excluding wind turbine developments surrounding the installation and its training grounds from receiving state subsidies.
With at least eight new wind farms proposed around Fort Drum, it is critical we don't ignore the impact those developments could have on training operations that translate to troop readiness and future mission readiness of the men snd women serving in our military.
Major General Piatt made it clear Fort Drum leaders want and support positive growth for the community. He said they are simply asking to be a part of strategic planning so that community and state leaders and developers can take into consideration the impact those wind farms could have on Fort Drum's current and future operations.
That seems like more than a reasonable request as we continue to discuss our region's economy and our national defense, where our Fort Drum leaders are always training for emerging threats.
Major General Piatt made it clear Fort Drum leaders want and support positive growth for the community. He said they are simply asking to be a part of strategic planning so that community and state leaders and developers can take into consideration the impact those wind farms could have on Fort Drum's current and future operations.
That seems like more than a reasonable request as we continue to discuss our region's economy and our national defense, where our Fort Drum leaders are always training for emerging threats.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne reviews a map of Fort Drum with Major General Walter Piatt, center, and Eric Wagenaar, deputy to the garrison commander.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Lloyd Dropps (l), airfield manager of Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, and Derek Kallen (r), chief of air traffic control at the airfield, discuss some of the air space used for training with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.
Lloyd Dropps (r), airfield manager of Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, and Derek Kallen (l), chief of air traffic control at the airfield, discuss some of the air space used for training with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.
Fort Drum Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Director Andrew Kennedy talks to Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization Executive Director Brian Ashley, representatives for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush about the potential impact of additional wind turbines in the Fort Drum area on the fort's training operations as well as on weather data received from a station in Montague.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne listens as 10th Mountain Division Commander Major General Walter Piatt shares his concerns about the potential impact of an explosion of wind turbines in the area surrounding Fort Drum on the base's operation.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne listens as 10th Mountain Division Commander Major General Walter Piatt shares his concerns about the potential impact of an explosion of wind turbines in the area surrounding Fort Drum on the base's operation.
Captain Patrick Phillipe (l), acting commander of the Air Force Weather Detachment at Fort Drum, says the proximity of the wind towers at Maple Ridge and the elevation of those towers, create reflectivity images and ghost echoes on radar impacting the reliability of data from the Montague weather station used by the U.S. Army, FAA and National Weather Service. "It underestimates real time data - snow and rain are underestimated and wind data is skewed," he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Todd Polk, Plans, Analysis and Information, discusses proposed industrial wind farms that could impact operations at Fort Drum.
Derek Kallen, chief of Air Traffic Control at the Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, shows Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne how the wind towers at Maple Ridge show up on the radar used in the air traffic control tower on the Wheeler-Sack airfield.
Derek Kallen, chief of Air Traffic Control at the Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, shows Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne how the wind towers at Maple Ridge show up on the radar used in the air traffic control tower on the Wheeler-Sack airfield.
