VIDEO: Commanding Officer Lindsey on 30% Helicopter Increase by 2016
Captain Yancy Lindsey is the commanding officer at Naval Air Station North Island.
Videos
In these videos, Commanding Officer Capt. Yancy Lindsey answers questions about a 30 percent increase in helicopter activity at Naval Air Station North Island and the Naval Outlying Field Imperial Beach.
Patch caught with him at an open house Thursday evening at the Coronado Community Center to discuss the draft environmental assessment. Public comments are being sought by the Navy until March 28. Click here to learn more about the proposed action.
"This engagement with the public, taking account of their concerns, that's part of this process, and we take it very seriously," he said.
"We look at it, we analyze it, to make sure of the impacts we anticipated and whether they're significant or not or accurate. And that's why the public's participation is vital in this process, so I don't agree that it's a fait accompli," or a done deal, he said.
"I want them [residents of Coronado and Imperial Beach] to be supportive of the Navy.
"They are," Captain Lindsey said.
"I want them to continue being supportive of the Navy because it's important to us as military members to have the support of the American citizens. If we don't listen to what they have to say, if we don't consider their concerns and we don't do the things we can do to mitigate our impact on their communities, then we put that support at risk and that's the last thing we want to do."
Paul Dykes
12:11 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
I think it's great that the Navy is considering the public's opinion, but I think maybe national security should trump a homeowner not wanting to hear more helicopters. Just my opinion.
Serge Dedina
4:06 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Luckily we live in a democracy and not a military state, which is why in our democracy our concerns about our community and our quality of life are equal to that of specific training objectives of our armed forces. This is a critical concept for everyone to remember.
Paul Dykes
4:41 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Here's another critical concept for everyone to remember: Without a well trained, supplied and backed military, we wouldn't be living in a Democracy..... :)
Dante Pamintuan
7:47 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Seaside Point residents are pro Navy. We just want the EA to be accurate and fair. We believe the EA is flawed and does not take into consideration the environmental impact of our specific neighborhood, the national wildlife refuge and estuary and the surrounding wetlands and coastal areas. Previous EIR's are outdated and not current. Noise studies are decades old and use an outdated modeling standard. Seaside Point residents appreciate the base Commanders comments and we are inviting him to speak with us at Iris Ave and East Lane, 5th St and Iris and under the takeoff spots at the Estuary walking path. Three times, different parts of the day. Please join us. Stay tuned.
Gene Hillger
8:52 am on Monday, March 14, 2011
Dante is absolutely right. The draft EA is flawed. The only residential areas covered by this report are on Seacoast Drive and in Coronado. The Seaside Point neighborhood is not included even though it will bear the burden of the noise increase. We are all for national security but this high volume, high noise training could take place in many other areas of the country where the impact on citizens and wildlife would not be so dramatic. Leave the flight levels where they are. We don't need an increase of 30% in our neighborhood.
Gene Hillger, Ocean Blue Foundation