MCAS Iwakuni Hosts Press and Discusses Runway Issues

March 6, 2006

Iwakuni - Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni's Public Affairs Office offered local, media, and national reporters a tour of the Air Station's air operations and discussed how construction of the new runway will alleviate most noise issues associated with aircraft takeoffs and landings. The Public Affairs Officer discussed aircraft parking areas and the runway configuration, and noted that the sharp right turn after takeoff is the cause of most of the noise associated with the base (as the aircraft turn right to avoid over flying an industrial area, their engine exhaust and noise is directed directly at the town). He showed the media the new parking area being constructed and explained that it was far from off-base housing and should cut down engine noise as the aircraft are on the ground. Lastly he showed them the new runway now being built out off the coast and explained that after it is in use there will be no need for the aircraft to make sharp right banks, abating current takeoff noise problems.