Civilian, Military Use of Airport
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A March 27 letter suggested that the only way to relieve overcrowding at John Wayne Airport is to move general aviation to Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center. Before rushing off to make a joint use request of the Pentagon, let’s review a few facts.
The Los Alamitos center provides emergency civil defense services for all of Southern California, a critical use that would be in conflict with the heavy airport operational demands of general aviation. A general aviation airport in the southwest corner of Orange County does not serve the general aviation needs of the county as well as a more central location would.
Long Beach Airport, which is less than four miles from the Los Alamitos center, provides for general aviation. Airport traffic landing patterns at Long Beach have airplanes passing over Los Alamitos. Can you imagine the air traffic congestion with two general aviation airports operating within four miles of each other?
RONALD BATES
Los Alamitos
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