Governor fights expansion of bomber training zone

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) is asking the Obama administration to abandon plans to establish a bomber training area over his state.

Bullock sent a letter Monday to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urging them to scuttle a proposal to expand the South Dakota-based Powder River Training Complex, The Associated Press reported.

{mosads}An Air Force decision on the expansion could come before the start of 2015. If approved, it would quadruple the training area for the Powder River’s B-1 bombers to include parts of Montana, Wyoming and the Dakotas.

South Dakota Sens. Tim Johnson (D) and John Thune (R) have endorsed the expansion, arguing that it would provide pilots and other personnel the airspace needed to carry out training in conditions that mirror combat without actually firing ammunition.

While Johnson is retiring, Thune is well-placed to make sure the expansion goes through. In addition to being the head of the Senate Republican Conference, Thune is likely the incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Bullock said that if the Powder River expansion goes forward, military and federal aviation officials should amend their proposal to include more measures to protect civilian aircraft.