Hi folks. While I’ve been watching events unfold on the message board from the sidelines for quite some time, I’m compelled to post because there is something that I think demands the attention of anyone who has a vested interest in the future of Chanco (which, if you’re reading this, is you).

The Navy needs to build what’s called an Outlying Landing Field (OLF) to help train pilots based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. Cabin Point, very near Chanco, is one of the five sites being considered. I strongly believe that it is incumbent upon you to inform yourself about this matter.

My purpose here is simply to put this before you, not to sway you in one direction or the other. In fact, my position as a part-time freelance journalist, not to mention the fact that I’m writing an article about this very soon, means that I am obligated to remain, at least outwardly, dispassionate on the issue.

So if I get anything wrong here, by all means, correct me. Just make sure any corrections are well documented, since that’s what I’ve tried to do here. These are the facts as I understand them:

The reason the Navy needs a new OLF is that its options allowing pilots to practice certain types of landings, namely those at night, are becoming compromised. Development pressures around Fentress Field (Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress) in Chesapeake, for instance, have made it so that the Navy can’t simulate the conditions for landing a jet on an aircraft carrier when it’s dark.

So the Navy is looking for a location within 60 miles of NAS Oceana that meets two conditions: 1. its remoteness would allow for the practice of landings at night and 2. the construction of an OLF would displace and effect as few people as possible. Hence the five rural locations.

The Navy originally sought to construct the OLF in Washington County, North Carolina, but a successful grassroots opposition campaign eventually forced the Navy to withdraw those plans.

After the withdrawal, the Navy considered nearly a dozen more sites for the OLF. This number was whittled down to five earlier this year. Two of those five sites are in North Carolina, and the others are in Virginia: one each in Southampton, Sussex and Surry County.

Few of the residents of the proposed locations appear happy to be on the list. Already, county and city boards have passed resolutions opposing the OLF. The three sites in Virginia have banded together to form Virginians Against the Outlying Landing Field (VAOLF).

As the crow flies, the Cabin Point site is about four miles from Chanco. If you’d like to see where it is, there are two ways that I know of to do it. First, go to mapquest and get driving directions from Cabin Point, VA to Floods Dr., Spring Grove, VA (this is Chanco). Also, there is a map on the website for VAOLF, although it doesn’t show Chanco. Here is the link:

http://www.novaolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/cabinspoint-map.pdf

I assume that the largest negative effect this would have on Chanco would be noise. Since an expressed purpose of the OLF would be practicing night landings, this might have some bearing on how well campers or conference attendees are able to sleep (although the Navy has promised to stop practicing each night at a reasonable hour). I think those who have spent time around Oceana, Fentress, Langley or the other military airfields can best appreciate this.

Conversely, some people argue that it is inappropriate to oppose such expansions of military facilities since they help protect the freedoms we all enjoy. If everyone goes at it with a Not-In-My-Back-Yard attitude, our military would encounter difficulties beyond what it already faces.

Now before you grab the pitchfork and gather the lynch mob, bear a couple things in mind:

First, this is an issue that has the potential to become divisive, particularly in a military community like ours. You may feel quite strongly one way or the other. The pal with whom you shared a glass of wine at the last Fall Fest may feel the opposite.

Second, nothing is happening soon. The Navy will be studying all of the sites for their suitability for at least a couple years before making a decision.

Third, the Navy is being transparent, especially since it got burned when it tried to do this the first time in NC. It wants input and is holding informational meetings and having public comment periods. It wants to know, for instance, that there are at least three summer camps within a five mile radius of the proposed site at Cabin Point. It’s your job to do that.

Inform yourself. That’s my plea. And if you are driven to act after you gather the facts, more power to you.

These are some links you might find helpful:

http://www.olfeis.com/scoping.aspx This is the Navy’s site for the OLF, which gives a chance to comment publicly and tells when there will be informational meetings.

http://www.novaolf.com/ This is the website for Virginians Against the Outlying Landing Field.

Also, go to your local newspaper (if you’re in Virginia or North Carolina) and search the paper’s archives for “OLF” and you’ll find scads of material.

The Virginian-Pilot: http://hamptonroads.com/pilotonline

The Daily Press: http://www.dailypress.com/

The Richmond Times-Dispatch: http://www.timesdispatch.com/

Thanks for sticking with me.

Ben Swenson