New stealth fighter to join Nellis arsenal

The Air Force is planning to base 17 F-22 fighter planes at Nellis Air Force Base.

If plans are approved, the F-22 Advanced Technical Fighter, known as the Raptor, could begin arriving on base in 2002, public information officer Mike Estrada said.

"We would do all the software changes to the aircraft, weapons testing for it and tactics development for it," Estrada said.

The addition of the F-22s would add about 360 people to the base and require the construction of several new buildings and the modification of existing ones, Estrada said. All of the fighters would eventually be assigned to Nellis' 57th Wing.

The F-22 was designed to replace the F-15 as the Air Force's premiere fighter. The F-22 has stealth capabilities and is the first fighter that can cruise at supersonic speed without an after-burner, according to information provided by the Air Force. The Air Force is looking to bring 450 F-22s on line at various bases, Estrada said.

By 2008, the F-22 would fly about 4,500 sorties a year at Nellis, Estrada said.

The Air Force will hold three public hearings in two weeks to discuss the environmental impacts of the planes:

* July 13 in Las Vegas at the Sunrise Library, 5400 Harris Ave.

* July 14 in Caliente at the Youth Center, U.S 93 North.

* July 15 in Tonopah at the Convention Center

All the hearings will start at 6:30 p.m. and will include an open house, an informal discussion period and an Air Force briefing about the proposed action and environmental reports.

Environmental review of the plans have been under way since 1997. Some concerns include aircraft noise, sonic booms and air quality. A draft environmental impact statement is available at many libraries in Southern Nevada.

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