Federal Government
Air Force Plans War Games Over Boise
February 21, 2018 
Our first thought when we read the Air Force memo was “retaliation for opposing the F-35 bed down at Gowen Field?” Our next thought was “the AR-15 pales when compared to the F-15.”
The memo we received from Mountain Home Air Force Base via GUARDIAN readers is potentially as explosive as the missiles on the deadly supersonic fighter jets the United States military plans to fly in “close air support” training over Boise and eight other Idaho urban areas.
No doubt the fighter jets with their laser-guided bomb simulations will be the “sound of freedom” to many of our readers. According to the Air Force, the ground staff will be in civilian vehicles and not wearing uniforms.
As long as they keep their bomb runs over St. Luke’s hospital, the State House, City Hall and the North End residential areas, the realistic training is probably worth the risks of high speed low level flights.
We would be eager to hear from local officials–including Team Dave–to learn if they were aware of the plans, their reaction to war games over the most densely populated area between Salt Lake and Seattle, and if they knew why haven’t they told the citizens.
The official PROPOSAL
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Feb 21, 2018, 10:14 pm
This is not the first time the MHAFB personnel have executed these training missions over Boise. Seems like it was a couple years or so since the last time this was done. I recall then that it was in the news prior to the flights. Confident there will be no low level strafing runs made by the F15’s. There will be some noise that we don’t encounter normally that people may or may not even notice. Yes, it is the sound of freedom. In this modern day no collateral clean warfare it is difficult to pin point that moving and even stationary target in an urban setting.
Feb 22, 2018, 12:30 am
Questions and Concerns. I’m concerned about the irradiation from all the powerful radars used in targeting and surveillance. If I recall they have warning stencils on the equipment so airman don’t get too close. The newest radars can tell the difference between a Chevy and a Ford at a scary long range. Do I need to unplug my garage door opener so radio jammers don’t activate it? Will those lasers show up on the night vision cameras? Will any of this mess with IR and radio controlled appliances? How about IV pumps in the hospital?
Reads like incognito teams will illuminate targets and aircraft will simulate a strike. This all fun and games until Private Benjamin screws up. I know someone who found a 155 training shell in her backyard many miles from the intended target. I know a guy who dropped a truck from an airplane without a parachute. Too many have similar stories. Don’t worry, nothing can go wrong?
Just in case, request the mayor specify no civilian pedestrian, or occupied civilian vehicle, or occupied civilian home, office, school, hospital, etc. be used as a simulated target. In short do not use a civilian for target practice. I recognize they got to train on a realistic urban targets and Boise is much safer for them than say Chicago (where they will get carjacked), but if they want to shoot at moving vehicles or let Private Benjamin be driving it. If my pitbulls chase them up a tree who should I call?
Say, while we’re talking about urban warfare, can anyone tell me why the hell the enemy in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan have a functioning cell phone network? Seems like the first thing we should take down along with walkie-talkie signals. Maybe Verizon wouldn’t let them out of the contract signed by Saddam?
Feb 22, 2018, 12:33 am
Nothing ever goes wrong:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_United_States_Air_Force_nuclear_weapons_incident
EDITOR NOTE–In fairness, they claim the aircraft will not be carrying weapons.
Feb 22, 2018, 1:36 am
Which kind of glasses do we need to buy?
https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=762
Feb 22, 2018, 9:09 am
Please send your comments
RE: URBAN CAS EA
Ms. Noelle Shaver
[email protected]
366 CES/CEIE
1030 Liberator St.
Mountain Home AFB
ID, 83648
Feb 22, 2018, 9:52 am
Mountain Home Air Force Base already has fake building complex sites at its remote training ranges in Owyhee County. Some of these areas are being expanded according to the last segmented incremental EA from the AF I reviewed. That EA was also kept very quiet by the AF. That new facility expansion was referenced in a “Convoy Training” EA finalized last year – where among other things Highway 51 south of Bruneau can be closed for “training” – and GPS scrambling and other activities take place.
Google searches show this “CAS” training (the 2018 AF EA) has already been going in places like Nellis. Since the AF flies planes from its bases all over the place all the time anyway including in Red Flag or other exercises- certainly it could train there.
If anyone believes the AF will ultimately limit this activity to just F-15s, and the in the air and on the ground part will be what is described in the EA, I have a bridge to sell you …
I want to know how much Idaho’s politicians know about this, and have been involved in – offering up much of the civilian population across southern Idaho as War Game fodder (including as fodder for foreign military practice).
Feb 22, 2018, 10:17 am
My fear, is who are they training to attack? Out of country terrorists or those within our borders? As devisive as this country is becoming, is the training to put down revolt or large demonstrations?
Feb 22, 2018, 12:36 pm
This proposed training is likely preparation for war in Iran and/or Ukraine (comparable latitude and ongoing conflict).
Ironically, this points out to Idaho being (one of the poorest states in the USA) akin to other much less developed countries.
Even so, only Western countries could possibly be built up like Boise, this could also be training for domestic operations.
Feb 22, 2018, 1:14 pm
No worries, the State Capitol is safe. https://www.kivitv.com/news/local-companys-drone-neutralizing-technology-showcased-at-the-idaho-state-capitol
Feb 22, 2018, 2:06 pm
Will this infatuation between Team Dave, Butch and the military never end?
Or is this the ongoing product of a three-way?
JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. That will be the focus of the next press releases from our guv’ment.
Feb 22, 2018, 2:18 pm
Who are they training to attack? Take off you tin foil hats.
Since the USAF has hit medical facilities in the past, measures could be taken to identify the hospitals and log them into their memory banks for future missions.
Feb 23, 2018, 6:41 am
The commenters on this story sound like a bunch of paranoid nuts.
You all do realize that providing for the common defense is one of the few things that the federal government does that are actually in the constitution. Don’t you think it’s a good thing they actually train? Or should they devolve to the level of incompetence we see in almost every other federal government endeavour.
Feb 23, 2018, 3:14 pm
BB: What is the difference between “eye-safe” and “retina-safe” lasers? I notice the troops wear googles with laser protection. Will they be using the much more powerful targeting lasers on the aircraft as well as the man portable units? Yes, a tinfoil hat will give some protection.
Feb 23, 2018, 7:24 pm
I am going to stay neutral. We aren’t training for Ukraine or anything similar. It’s all been trained to death. We’re spending the excess money that the military gets from taxpayers and U. S. debt. The threats don’t go up every year proportionally to the increase in our spending. It is a sad statement for playing war in the desert.
Only perhaps, that INEL is at risk from foreign objects. But that should be known if it is actually possible.
It is probably something for the military to do that will not see the light of day publicity wise, as no one cares about southern Idaho.
Are they just saying they’re using our great desert, and hopefully not cracking our ceilings and windows here in Boise City with their spending?
Just like anyone, they can change their mind anytime so it seems.
Feb 24, 2018, 11:28 pm
The 44 page Scoping document for what’s equivalent to a new Military Training Range over a very large civil population is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/f1xyrzs71q96unh/01312018_Urban%20CAS_Final%20DOPAA.pdf?dl=0
Once the military gets a new Range, it nearly immediately begins incrementally changing activities conducted on it. Note the 15 Nautical mile radius that extends out from the Urban Area. This is a huge footprint that is nearly continuous between most of the Nine Areas.
Googling shows Military contractor profiteers are increasingly leeching onto this CAS training. How long until Contractors are operating in the new Range? Thus there will be even less transparency and less ability of the public to seek redress for injuries that may be caused by this massive Urban Warfare scheme and “taking” of Idaho citizens quality of life – and likely their health in some instances.
Feb 28, 2018, 7:30 am
What’s next Ppl, Beiter Begone, TF Boy? We’re all unpatriotic snowflakes? Stop. Just stop. Marginalizing the views of others and justifying obscene military spending in the name of “freedom” is what got the F-35s benched in Idaho. You must have also missed the most recent write up on the Navy spending scandal, which actually sounds more like leaking classified information and treason. Grow some humility. Winter. Is. Here.