Partners for a Compatible Future NAF El Centro

Partners for a Compatible Future NAF El Centro

WHO WE ARE Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro is a 2,800-acre fleet training complex with oversight of 54,000 acres of training ranges. The primary function of the installation is to support fleet air squadrons in tactical air training. Training activities include Field Carrier Landing Practice, various air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons training, close air support, parachute drops, and air defense exercises. NAF El Centro is also an ideal location for conducting training with Unmanned Aircraft Systems. NAF El Centro provides essential training support to active and reserve aviation units of the Navy, other armed services components, national agencies, and NATO allies. It is also the winter home of the Navy s famous Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. History The formal establishment of the installation took place on July 24, 1943. The installation operated as a Marine Corps Air Station until its disestablishment and subsequent establishment to the Navy on May 1, 1946. Our Mission Today NAF El Centro s mission is to provide the highest quality facilities, services and products to the Naval Aviation community and all organizations utilizing the installation and ranges. NAF El Centro is the West Coast Basic Tactical Aviation Center of Excellence. WHO WE ARE

ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS NAF El Centro is a major contributor to Imperial County, providing reliable economic stimulus in the form of goodpaying jobs, consistent demand for housing and consumer products, expenditures for supplies and operational support services, local and state tax revenues, and related economic activities that ripple through a variety of economic sectors. NAF El Centro s total economic contribution to the regional economy includes: The total jobs related to NAF El Centro operations, payroll, and other spending Distribution of Total NAF El Centro Local Expenditures by Industry Manufacturing 0.5% Agriculture and Mining 0.1% Government 3.1% Transportation/ Information/ Utilities 5.6% Retail and Wholesale Trade 8.5% The total amount of economic activity that NAF El Centro generated in the region in 2015 The total direct annual payroll of personnel working at NAF El Centro Services 60.5% Construction 21.7% The annual amount in state/local tax revenues stimulated by NAF El Centro payroll and spending ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

San Diego Imperial County County AREAS OF OPERATION National security depends on our Navy installations, facilities, and training ranges being in the right place, at the right time, with the right qualities and capacities to protect our national interests. NAF El Centro and the associated 54,000-acre El Centro Range Training Complex are critical to supporting the Navy s mission of maintaining, training, and equipping combat-ready maritime and ground forces capable of winning wars and maintaining freedom of the seas. The U.S. Navy is America s forward deployed force and serves as a major deterrent to aggression around the world. NAF El Centro s operating area, shown in the map below, is critical to sustaining the installation s training mission into the future. This area encompasses special use airspace, flight patterns, target areas, noise zones, accident potential zones, and Naval Special Operations training areas within the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range. Preserving and encouraging compatible land uses within this area is essential to sustaining NAF El Centro s mission critical training capabilities and unique contributions to military readiness and our National defense. R-2507 N ABEL NORTH Riverside County Imperial County SALTON SEA KANE WEST KANE EAST ABEL SOUTH R-2507 S Target 95 R-2510 A/B Target 101 ABEL EAST Target 103 R-2510 B NAF El Centro KANE SOUTH ABEL BRAVO Target 68 R-2512 Parachute Drop Zone El Centro!( 8 8 UNTIED STATES MEXICO NAFEC NAFEC Area of Operations Restricted Use Airspace MOA Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Naval Special Warfare Area Highway County Border International Border NAF El Centro Training Ranges (R-2510 and R-2512) And Associated Target Ranges 0 5 10 Miles Kilometers 0 5 10 I AREAS OF OPERATION

CHALLENGES TO OUR MISSION The ability to sustain the Navy s training mission in Imperial County depends on the continued outstanding support and cooperation of the surrounding communities. Incompatible development of various types can threaten NAF El Centro s ability to maintain such a unique and ideal training environment for our forces. Significant concerns that could potentially limit or alter our operations relate primarily to new incompatible construction and extension of infrastructure into operating areas. Land uses and other issues that may not be compatible with Navy training include: Residential and commercial land development with higher sensitivity to aircraft noise and safety required where structures are occupied. Alternative energy projects that could produce physical or visual obstructions within the restricted use airspace. Planning of land uses that recognizes the safety of residents and military personnel. Compatible development is critical to prevent impacts to military operations, safeguard the military mission of NAF El Centro, and protect the overall health, safety, and welfare of the public. By proactively working together, the Navy and community partners have the opportunity to manage future growth and development. CHALLENGES TO OUR MISSION

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A COMPATIBLE FUTURE NAF El Centro has strong ties to the local communities and strives to be a good neighbor through coordination and participation with local governments and organizations in community activities and events, and providing a broad range of community services. NAF El Centro and local/regional stakeholders have historically taken a proactive approach to working together and we are committed to encouraging growth that is compatible with Navy training operations. NAF El Centro will continue to work with local governments and citizens to plan wisely for growth and to protect resources in areas potentially affected by Navy operations. We continue to plan for change by: Adherence to a Joint Land Use Study prepared in conjunction with the cities of Imperial and El Centro, Imperial County and other stakeholder groups to identify areas where land uses that may impact the operations of NAF El Centro are compatible and to create an action plan to ensure compatible development in the future. Providing the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) report to local jurisdictions as a resource for incorporation into their General Plans and Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. Local Governments and Private Citizens Can Help By: Coordinating the development plans with NAF El Centro to ensure that the location and type of development proposed are compatible with military operations. Supporting NAF El Centro Environmental Stewardship Programs Working together, we can continue our long history of cooperative interaction necessary to maintain the Navy mission, compatible land use, growth, and economic benefits to Imperial County. WORKING TOGETHER FOR A COMPATIBLE FUTURE

NAF El Centro continues to enjoy an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, strong teamwork and common interest in economic enhancement with our local communities. We are proud of the enthusiastic relationship we enjoy with our local communities throughout the Imperial Valley. The commitment of our people to the success of NAF El Centro will continue to exert a significant, positive economic influence for many years to come. - Commanding Officer, NAF El Centro For further information, please contact: NAF El Centro Community Plans and Liaison Office: (760) 554-3275 http://www.cnic.navy.mil/elcentro/index.htm