With new helicopters heading to NAS Whiting, Navy issues environmental impact study

https://www.pnj.com/story/news/military/2019/07/01/new-helicopters-heading-nas-whiting-navy-issues-environmental-study/ [login to see] /
A plan to expand helicopter training at Naval Air Station Whiting Field by purchasing 130 new helicopters has received a tentative go-ahead from the Navy.

The 560-page draft environmental assessment released by the Navy late Thursday recommends purchasing the new helicopters and building new facilities to support expanded training at Whiting and its six outlying landing fields.

"This is great news," said Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter. "Navy personnel have been working on this for a long time."

The report, which is available at nepa.navy.mil/ahts, is available for public comment through July 19. Copies of the report are also available at public libraries throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

The Pentagon has long planned to replaced the TH-57 as the Navy and Marine Corp's training helicopter, and defense contractors have been vying for the contractor. Salter said an announcement is anticipated by the end of the year.