NMFS Biological Opinion on U.S. Navy training ... - Govsupport.us

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FINAL PROGRAMMATIC BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON U.S. NAVY ACTIVITIES IN THE HAWAII RANGE COMPLEX 2008-2013 sonobuoy is released, a small parachute (about 4 feet in diameter) retards its entry into the ocean. For operational reasons, the sonobuoy is designed to float on the surface and, after a controlled period of time (no longer than 8 hours), the complete package (with the parachute) will sink to the bottom. Strike warfare exercises which are designed to training U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy. and U.S. Marine air groups in air-to-surface missile firing; conventional ordnance delivery including bombing (MK80 series bombs, live and inert), gunnery, and rocket and precision guided munitions firing; and close air support techniques. An exercise typically involves a flight of 2 aircraft, but can involve up to 28 aircraft. At sea, excess ship hulks and a computer-generated island that is located within the Barking Sands Underwater Range Expansion are used as targets for aircraft missile firing and bomb drops. On land, terrain features, constructed props, or tank hulks are used as targets. The average range time for these exercises is 60 minutes. Gunnery exercises which are designed to provide gunnery practice for surface vessel crews against both stationary and moving targets. Air-to-ground gunnery exercises typically involve about 400 rounds of 0.50-caliber or 7.62 mm ordnance and last for about 1 – 2 hours. Surface-to-surface gunnery exercises typically involves about 20 rounds of 5-inch or 76 mm ordnance and about 150 rounds of 0.5-caliber or 25 mm ordnance and last for 2 to 4 hours. Amphibious exercise (AMPHIBEX), which are designed to provide a realistic environment for amphibious assault training, reconnaissance training, hydrographic surveying, surf condition observance, and communication. Amphibious forces could utilize the beaches at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) or at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows (MCTAB) to conduct amphibious landings. Embarked Marines would board landing craft and practice an amphibious landing. An AMPHIBEX involves the movement of Marine Corps combat and support forces from Navy ships at sea to an objective or an operations area ashore. AMPHIBEXs could involve an amphibious assault across a beach, or the insertion of Marines to an inland location called Ship-to-Objective Maneuver. Amphibious landings are restricted to specific areas of designated beaches. As described by the Navy, these exercises would be conducted in compliance with Executive Order 13089, Coral Reef Protection. Before each major amphibious landing exercise is conducted, a hydrographic survey is typically performed to map out the precise transit routes through sandy bottom areas. Within 1 hour of initiating landing activities, the landing routes and beach areas would be determined to be clear of marine mammals and sea turtles. If any are seen, the exercise would be delayed until the animals leave the area. During the landing the crews follow established procedures, such as having a designated lookout watching for other vessels, obstructions to navigation, marine mammals (whales or monk seals), or sea turtles. Other measures include publication of training overlays that identify the landing routes and any restricted areas. Sensitive cultural resource areas are identified and bounded by a clearly-marked keep-out buffer. Where necessary, pre-exercise surveys for turtles are conducted so their feeding and nesting areas would be avoided. Vehicles are restricted to existing roads, trails, and other disturbed areas and would not traverse undisturbed, offroad areas where they might harm vegetation or stimulate erosion. Air combat maneuvers include fighter maneuvers where aircraft engage in offensive and defensive maneuvering against each other. These maneuvers typically involve supersonic flight and expenditure of chaff and flares. No airto-air ordnance is released during this exercise. Air combat maneuvers within the Hawai’i Range Complex are primarily conducted with W-189, W-190, W-192, W-193 and W-194 under Fleet Area Control and Surveillance 18
FINAL PROGRAMMATIC BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON U.S. NAVY ACTIVITIES IN THE HAWAII RANGE COMPLEX 2008-2013 Facility Pearl Harbor’s control. These operations typically involve from two to eight aircraft; however, based on the training requirement, These exercises may involve over a dozen aircraft engaged in sorties that can last up to 2 hours. Air to Surface Missile/Bomb Exercises which provide training for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps tactical aircrews in air-to surface missile firing; conventional ordnance delivery (including bombing, gunnery and rocketry) and precision-guided munitions firing. Precision-guided munitions include optical, infrared seeking or laser-guided missiles fired at surface targets. These events take place at-sea against ships, boats, small craft, and other maritime targets. These exercises can last up to 2 hours. 1.1.3 Multiple Strike Group Exercise Multiple Strike Group Exercises involve Navy assets engaging in a schedule of events battle scenario, with U.S. forces (blue forces) pitted against a notional opposition force (red force). Participants use and build upon training skill sets they have gained previously to maintain and improve the proficiency required of units that are ready for deployment. These exercises typically occur over 5- to 10-day periods at any time during the year. These exercises are similar to Undersea Warfare Exercises in that they entail combined force, submarines, surface ships, and aircraft that conduct anti-submarine warfare maneuvers against opposition submarine targets. In addition to the use of hull-mounted sonar (AN/SQS-53 and AN/SQS -56), submarine sonar, helicopter dipping sonar, and sonobuoys, Multiple Strike Group Exercises include events that involve underwater detonations, including sinking exercises, air-to-surface missile exercises, mine neutralization exercises, and EER/IEER exercises. Exercises that entail underwater detonations do not overlap in space and time with sonar exercises. 1.2 Unit- and Intermediate-Level Training Activities in the Hawai’i Range Complex During each of the five years from December 2008 to December 2013, the U.S. Navy plans to conduct the following unit-level or intermediate-level training events in the Hawai'i Range Complex. Air Combat Maneuvers. Air combat maneuvers involve aircraft engaged in offsensive and defensive flight maneuvers against each other. These maneuvers typically involve supersonic flight and use of chaff and flares. No Airto-Air ordnance is released during this exercise. Air Combat Maneuver operations within the range complex are primarily conducted within W-188, W-189, W-190, W-192, W-193, and W-194 under Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Pearl Harbor’s control. These operations typically involve from two to eight aircraft. However, based upon the training requirement, Air Combat Maneuver exercises may involve over a dozen aircraft. Sorties can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 2 hours, but the typical Air Combat Maneuver mission has an average duration of 1 to 2 hours. The U.S. Navy plans to conduct about 814 of these maneuvers each year in the Hawai'i Range Complex, which is an increase from the 738 of these maneuvers that are conducted under current schedules. 19
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