The Air Force has announced a series of upcoming public hearings to discuss its proposal to use low-altitude airspace in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico for training MC-130 and CV-22 aircrews from Cannon AFB, N.M. The hearings are scheduled for Oct. 18 in Montrose, Colo., and Oct. 19 in Alamosa, Durango, and Pueblo, Colo., according a Cannon release. The announcement comes on the heels of Colorado’s two Senators sending a letter to Air Force Special Operations Command, expressing concern over the proposal. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) and Sen. Mark Udall (D) call on the AFSOC leadership in their Oct. 7 missive to ensure that the decision process on the airspace is transparent and takes into account “existing civilian and military aviation operations, wilderness areas, agriculture, ski areas, and other national treasures,” including a nearby Army National Guard high-altitude range.
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.