Complaints
 * I live in Buckner Farms in VB about 200 yards from Holland road. The jets consistently fly out of the "Crash Zone" as shown on your web site. I've dealt with this for three years and have numerous pictures and videos. I wish I had a noise meter because I bet it would read over 125dB easy! My three year old daughter might already have hearing problems! She yells "Bad Planes" when they get very loud. They are also at a very low altitude, approach too slowly, and increase thrust when over our neighborhood. Some pilots know how to land by approaching at a higher speed(very little noise), I guess the less experienced are ordered to approach slower then maintain or recover speed which creates this noise. Some of the planes are so slow they wobble as they approach or regain speed. The crash zone map is not correct! There are many houses for sale here due to this.

I was born and raised in VB and can remember when the planes would break the sound barrier over our neighborhood at the beach, so it has not really bothered me until the last 8-10 years. I am now concerned about my two daughters hearing and about one of these planes falling out of the sky. It will probably have to happen, like wipe out a couple houses and people, before all these head strong politicians and government officials WAKE UP!

I am sick of the planes in this area and have planned to move our family as well, but I must say that I have dealt with this noise for WAY TOO LONG! I feel I deserve to be compensated since the Government and City of VB are liars and selfish. How much money do I hear burning when they burn off all the extra fuel once the planes land so Oceana's funding won't decrease.

It is absolutely absurd how much we pay to live in VB and have to put up with the jets getting louder and the City of VB being mainly concerned with increasing revenue at the expense of its citizens. I worked for the City in various departments for about 9 years and can say it is very unorganized. The City makes Millions of dollars each month off its
citizens through court judgments. They will throw you in jail for almost anything and nearly every offense, besides a basic traffic ticket, will cost you $1,000 or much more! Back to the point, the city is greedy and wants your money, so they WILL encroach on Oceana (more property taxes).

Too few a people make too many big decisions for the majority, and their decisions are WRONG! To all the people employed by the government: It's a job, you picked it, you deal with it, I have no pity or support for you.

Please post this on your web site, this is reality!, Kenan Soblotne, July 18, 2006
  * I had a really unsettling incident happen April 12. I was in my backyard in Birdneck Point when one of the jets went over so low, and so fast, doing "circus tricks" that I "hit the ground" (not easy to do at 62), and my cat scattered. When I was able to regain enough composure to get up and go inside to call the Noise Hotline, I reported that " obviously a neophyte incompetent was behind the controls."
"Oh, no," I was told...."He knows exactly what he's doing....he's practicing for the air show." I responded, "With the cost of fuel, you mean my tax payer dollars are paying for jet planes to "practice" over heavily populated areas for unnecessary air shows?" He had no response. We in CCAJN need to address the "air show" issues. Nancy D, April 21, 2006
  * I've been in Virginia Beach all my life. I have never been appreciative of jet noise, but it never affected my life to a great degree. I bought a house in Courthouse Estates in 2001 and I enjoyed living there-until late last Summer. Something's changed. I'm concerned.
What's going on at Fentress Airfield. On Weekdays the roar from the non stop training has been unbearable. Its loud, relentless, annoying, and stressful. Last night the noise went on past 12:30 am. How long will it go on tonight? Who knows.
My first four years at Courthouse Estates, the noise from Fentress was not a factor. Now I am ready to move because of it. Is all this a result of the new Super Hornet jets? Can we expect it to be this relentless forever? E-Mails to the Public Relations Officer go unanswered. Mike, April 25, 2006

  *
Let me do the math for you. 2x60 minutes = 120 planes per hour for 12 hour days = 1440 !! Then multiply this by 5 days last week plus yesterday and you know why my nerves are frazzled.

The jets are flying the same flight pattern over Hilltop and Lynnhaven mall for these 8,640 missions. No variation of flight pattern means those of us in zip 23454 are assualted relentlessly.

Meetings at work, evenings at home and driving to and from with no break. I can't drive with my windows open on a nice day. I can't hear the evening news, I can't conduct conversation (2 jets per minute!). I was assulted when leaving my car to go into work, home and Hilltop shops. My Thursday evening prayer group was hijacked by the jet noise.

This is new and this is horrible. I've lived here for years and I have NEVER suffered like I have this past week. I don't know what I will do if the jets start up again this morning and fly another 1440 missions over my head today. Bonnie Youngberg, Virginia Beach, 23454, March 22, 2005

 *

I am an active duty Naval officer who has been living in VB for 3 years now. I wish I had heard of your organization years ago, as I could have at least joined and felt I was doing something. (Moving to FL in November.)

I think the jet noise is blatant, abhorrent and over-rated. I am sick beyond words of the pandering people who keep calling it the sound of freedom. I find this claim to be cloying jingoism put out by public figures trying to get the military vote and by passive individuals. It comes down to this: there are parts of VB that are almost becoming unlivable with this.

I used to live at the Linkhorn Bay Apts down off of Birdneck. One of the main reasons I left was that the jets in that zone drove me and my family mad. There were weeks at a time when they would circle about 300 ft. over our home endlessly all night long, burning exhaust and all that. We had to turn the TV up to the top decibel to watch a late night movie. We didn't know about the complaint line! No one believes me, but there was one occasion when the F-18 came so low I saw the pilot's helmet as it banked over my house. I think the whole War on Terrorism is their excuse to make our lives unlivable by increasing their ops and lowering the flight ceiling, knowing few would dare complain. Even where I live now, near Lynnhaven Mall, there are some days when they just circle, circle and burn , burn.

I am ONE military officer who has NO appreciation, NO sympathy and NO burning love in my patriotic heart for the guys who make the ops decisions regarding flight. If it is of any interest to you, there is someone who appreciates your organization. If I return to VB for another tour in a few years, I will be sure to join you on that very day. Keep it up, LTJG Notapilot, September 29, 2004

 *
Hooray for this Naval Officer who had the hutzpah to step forward and tell it like it is! (see above). I too am tired of the rhetoric of the flag wavers, those that write in to the Pilot claiming the jet noise is not as bad as it truly is. I am certain most of the writers live well out of the noise zones and do not realize the impact on those of us who endure it day and night. My home is in the Hilltop section and I would like to extend an invitation to the naysayers to drop by for evening tea on my porch when the jets are night flying, it would take only one pass, also they could feel the vibration on the porch floor under their feet. If that's not enough, I could walk them into my bedroom where they could hear the windows rattling and the plates on the wall. Keep up the good work that CCAJN does, it's our voice., Name Withheld, October 14, 2004
  * If schools are going to be insulated against noise and air pollution, will this include private schools? My daughter attends Star of the Sea School at 15th and Pacific at the Oceanfront. The noise there is frequently mindnumbing. Especially not good for those who are trying to learn! She has told me how often they have to stop lessons to wait for the jets to pass. (Yet I still see parents driving vehicles with "I Love Jet Noise" bumper stickers. Amazing!)

We are still living in a jet noise zone and it is getting worse daily. I was awakened a few nights ago at around 11:40 p.m. I was too groggy to get up and call in a complaint. I did call a few weeks ago when a seemingly endless noise bombardment was in progress. I've lived in Va.Beach for 24 years, my husband has been here since the 60's. Neither one of us can believe the increase in noise level. The night I called to complain recently, I was almost in tears with the onslaught. It was ceaseless, with only a few seconds between passes. I was told by a very friendly fellow with a sense of humor that the usual runway was blocked or could not be used for some reason. He apologized and told me only six more minutes and they would be done. It was closer to 15 or 20 minutes, but it had already gone on forever! The Navy must be working hard to put seemingly sympathetic people on the complaint line. And I'm tired of feeling guilty of non-patriotism because jet noise bothers me. I'm a very patriotic American but enough is enough! Sorry to vent. I can't help but wonder if some of those "I Love Jet Noise" bumper stickers will be coming off when the noise level reaches its' full peak. Heaven help us., Name Withheld, August 31, 2004

 *
Please put me on your email list, I would like to join. I live at the Oceanfront and the 2 AM jet runs like we had last night are absurd., Name Withheld, September 1, 2004
 * During the recent practice for an airshow we were subjected to flying at all hours and one
time I was truly terrified, my heart beating loud and fast as I ran for the house when one of the planes caught me outside. Even with my hands over my ears it was a deafening sound. I called the complaint line and was told that they were within the law flying faster and lower when they were practicing for an airshow. I thought we had managed to get some relief from this but apparently not as it continued for another day or so. The airshow wasn`t even in this area but the practice was. Can you comment? Dorris Mediate, April 18, 2004

CCAJN Reply: The fact is that even when flying airshows, there are restrictions about flying low and fast over populated areas in the Federal Air Regulations. The Navy ignores those, and pretty much does what it wants which is to fly very low and very fast (and very loud) over the areas around Oceana. However, even though they are ignoring the limits in the regulations, (the law) there is no supervisory or regulatory group willing to take them on.

The Navy considers the airspace around Oceana to be their own to do with as they wish - and that's what they do. A wise philosopher once said that to protect something is pretty much like owning it. Since the Navy is "protecting" us, apparently they feel that it is perfectly fine for them to continue to operate in ways that are essentially heedless of how we're affected.

CCAJN has communicated with the Navy on this subject several times. We have had some assurances, and from time to time, seemingly some relief for short periods. However, they always come back to doing it just as they have right along. Apparently it's somewhat inconvenient for them to arrange these practice sessions in a suitable location, so they just don't bother.

We continue to persist, but until there is a tragedy, it's unlikely that they will make any meaningful changes.

*

USING COMPLAINT WEB FORM FROM MIKE: April 7, 2004: 501PM Ground Run-up, Subject Other:, 2AM wed april 7 2004 outside engine testing, called in complaint and asked to be called in morn as to why outside test...never was called

E-MAIL TO MIKE FROM RAY FIRENZE: April 8, 2004: 9:28AM: No complaint was received by my office from you until this email. I did go over to the complaint desk and stressed my concern that yours was not recorded. I will log your complaint in the data base and forward up the chain of command. Engine turns at idle power may be conducted anytime on the airfield and i do not know what the power setting was when you called. Again, i will forward this info to include this response to you. I also received your complaint with regard to the flight demo.

To RAY FIRENZE: April 8, 2004, 1:39PM: Ray, I was also told by the officer in charge that if it was the squadron that came in @11:pm that they " would be in big trouble " for doing engine testing and that the OIC would go down and check immediately. Very soon thereafter no more noise... Mike

* 6:00am: Two 707s, followed by about three FA-18s flew VERY low (less than 1,000 feet) between 15th & 16th Streets, (west to east) over Cooke elementary school. We called NAS Oceana Noise Complaint at 433-2162. It was busy for a while. The person who answered the phone around 6:15 said it was the Spanish air force, and I believe he first said I didn't understand their operations. I said great, there's that I can't understand the military attitude.

I asked the person to repeat the explanation to my husband, who is ex-Navy. The person then said it was the Spanish air force, and that they don't understand our operations. My husband said that was BS because they should have understood from a briefing they should have had this morning.

I said this is a public safety issue because if the planes fly over our homes, they could crash, which did happen the other day. I said how can this be the sound of freedom when we aren't safe in our own home. The Oceana person responded that I had the freedom to move into my home. (That was unprofessional, rude, and did not answer the question.)

I informed the Oceana person that our home was built in 1932, before the Navy was here, but more importantly, we studied the AICUZ maps and we are not in a crash zone according to the map, but we are when planes fly over our home. Also, we are in a 65-70 decibel zone, but the noise is MUCH louder than that. No one discusses anything about the noise zones being averaged anything when you buy your home. If that is the case, then ONE of the typical flights we hear would take care of the average on any given day.

Please report this unprofessional behavior to anyone who could make a difference. Also, please ask why these flights had to happen at 6:00 on a Sunday morning.

Thank you!
Barbara Clark and Michael O'Neil, March 28, 2004
CCAJN - Keep the Pressure On!
  *

..."Please keep pressuring the city, state, and federal officials to approach the Oceana problem reasonably and responsibly. Keep reminding them that perhaps the (questionable) ecomonic benefits of having fighter squadrons based here are insignificant when weighed against the adverse impact felt by almost one-third the city's population. Keep in the forefront of the discussions the fact that this is a serious quality of life issue.

Never let the politicians forget that Virginia Beach needs to look forward, and plan for the day when the Navy pulls its fighter jets out of Oceana for good. Remind them that despite anything they do, any policy they enact, any effort they put forth, the jets are leaving one day and there is absolutely nothing they can do about it. Common sense dictates that the Navy base its jets somewhere where effective pilot training can occur. American taxpayers should demand no less. How many taxpayers are aware that both Navy and elected officials agree that pilot training at NAS Ocean is sub-optimal?  In addition, if they knew, would they not question why both Navy and elected officials continue to insist that NAS Oceana remains "suitable" and "viable" for the foreseeable future? I do. Moreover, I am glad there is an organization like CCAJN to put out the message."  Name withheld, February 6, 2006

Base Realignment Position (see CCAJN News Service of April 7, 2005)
 * Copy of Letter to City Council March 28, 2006 from Barbara Clark
I understand you feel you need to do whatever it takes (almost) to save the jets. But I am not comfortable with spending taxpayer dollars to suppress Virginia Beach's economic development potential, especially without a vote.

Be that as it may, I am particularly shocked by the proposal to "encourage" property owners to give away avigation easements without compensation and to give up their right to sue over jet noise. The jets will be louder. The AICUZ and crash zones will therefore most likely grow.

Citizens have a right to be heard and to attempt to protect the peaceful enjoyment of their property. It would be frightening if you pass this particular amendment because it would feel like you are not interested in protecting citizens' rights, or even working with the Navy to try to live peacefully together. They can do whatever they want and citizens have no say. Would they be able to land on our homes???

This amendment would affect the entire Oceanfront, the gem of our city, that has tremendous economic development potential.
 *

With all the funding for 2005 for the OLF taken out of the Budget, why are you not stressing this fact to prevent any of the planes from coming to Oceana. The OLF in Washington County, is an integral part of moving the planes to Oceana. FR Doc 03-229838, explains the decision to move the Super Hornets to Oceana and mentions that OLF Fentress will only be able to accommodate one Carrier Air Wing.

I think it is time for someone to ask for the Courts to step in and put a hold on anymore planes being diverted to Oceana until the issue of the Washington County OLF is back on track and fully funded. The OLF that would be accessible to both Oceana and Cherry Point was a major factor to re-align the Super Hornets to Oceana. Charlie Bowdoin, Virginia Beach, April 10, 2005

 * BTW - All the negative talk of economic impact is reactive gag reflex! If NASO were to realign to a better use (not close), I think you'd see MORE business migrating from other area cities to SE VB. Corp landing industrial park has NOT attracted out of town businesses BECAUSE of the jet factor. VB has something everyone seems to miss....WEATHER , WATER & location!!! Many zipcodes would see an increase in real estate values over time. When Detroit had auto manufacturers close plants in the late 70's, did it blow away? No... If a message filtering out the noise of "doom & gloom" economics was spread out to the masses... It would help this effort.

I worked at NASO from 81-87, left the area for the mountains of PA for 4 years, and came back last summer primarily due to weather. I couldn't believe the building boom in this area, and the usual lack of city planning with respect to roads. Having the perspective of being away for 4 years, I truly believe the city has lowered the quality of life here due to their greed for tax base. Your Org is not the enemy here, the city "same ole - same ole" attiude coupled with a dose of arrogance is!...
G. Basham, April 29, 2005
  * Thank goodness that this action is being taken....... The Hornets have to go........ The noise lately is INTEROLABLE................Any person who says that this type of noise is compatible with normal community living is kidding themselves....... The political/economic interest must be silenced and recognized for what it is........ Bring in any other aircraft, but move the Hornets................... Please push this action...................., M.J., Virginia Beach, April 8, 2005
  * Just for the record, I concur and fully support your position as relates to NAS Oceana. You can log me in as a resident of Southall Quarter, Howard B. Allen, April 8, 2005
 *  I agree. It's obvious the navy and even city council have little respect for the quality of life we as citizens use to enjoy and now have to endure., Dave, April 7, 2005
  * I fully support CCAJN's position on jet aircraft realignment at Oceania. The position offers a rational basis for reducing the environmental impacts that excessive jet noise is imposing on a sizable percentage of the local population, and it preserves the economic benefits of the base to the overall community. The position is a "win-win" situation for all concerned., Herb K., April 10, 2005
 *  I support you in your efforts to make Virginia Beach a quieter and safer place for all., S.B., April 9, 2005

 Virginia Beach Middle School Site Selection
 * Let me begin by letting you know that I am a Special Education teacher at Virginia Beach Middle School. I also have served two years on the new building committee. Any new building would be a vast improvement upon the noise levels we now endure. I practice jet pause teaching and have actually called the Navy directly from my classroom to complain about some flights buzzing our building. The city is hard pressed to find a location in which to rebuild without changing the attendance zones. Yes, this could be accomplished and could benefit many students. However, the chances of this happening are quite slim.

The committee's focus so far has been on building design (floor plan). We were informed that any other details would be addressed later. Rest assured that I will voice the need for noise mitigation at the appropriate time. I cited numerous studies regarding the educational impact when the Navy was here for the public comment period and I can present them again. It's highly possible that we would see a rise in achievement levels in a new building of any sort. We also would not want to risk delaying this project further. We have been waiting for the city to approve this move for a long time. Megan Moses, June 15, 2004
  OLF

 *
We heard that the NC OLF has been put on hold because of an issue with the birds. Can we get some of those birds brought up here? Because all we have up here is people in danger!
Mark Flyge, April 24, 2004

On Noise Complaints "The Numbers Game" (see E-news dated 3/30/04)
* You hit the nail on the head. I live in Shadowlawn and my wife and I have given up on calling. I wish there was a way to easily register a complaint via a web site or something that could document the exact issues and complaints. I have lived in Shadowlawn for 10 years and before I purchased my home I was sure to research the flight paths to make sure I was not in one of the very high noise zones as I was when I lived near Birdneck and 264.

After confirming the fact and just some limited noise heard from a distance and the occasional flyover for air show practices which were all acceptable, everything seemed to change a few years back. After complaining several times and writing a letter I did receive a phone call back and was told that the noise zones had changed since I bought my house and that there was nothing I could do. So basically, the information that the Navy and city provide can be changed without any regard for property owners that are impacted. With this I disagree. On occasion I've had people say "well, you should have know better buying a house at the end of a runway". That is not the case. I purposely did not buy a home in the higher noise zone and chose my home based on it's quieter area. Then the Navy changed the flight pattern which causes jets to fly directly over head. That is my issue. A few years back someone spoke at our civic league meeting and said that jets should not be flying directly overhead except during air shows and air show practices which is rare. He explained why they would fly overhead and that he would take this information back and discuss it before their flight operations to make sure the planes stayed within the flight patters. For Shadowlawn and the southern part of the resort oceanfront, flyovers happen when jets take a wide turn back to Oceana. If the Navy would stop this practice, I think you'd have a lot of folks in our neighborhood who would be a whole lot happier.
--Mike, March 30, 2004
* I have to agree with most residents. I stopped calling the hotline because it never seemed to do any good or I could not get through (busy). It has been unbearable the past 2 days, but I'm guessing the return of the Bataan may have something to do with that. I'm curious to know how much the tax payers paid for the "million dollar enclosure" on the base where the planes can be worked on and the sound muffled. I'm guessing the doors are never closed due to jet fumes. It's a continuous loud sound of jet motors running at all times of the day.
--Paula Gross, March 30, 2004

 On Flawed Chamber Study (see E-news dated 2/27/04)
* The survey was conducted following the most inaccurate statistical design possible (standard random sampling) and it used a relatively small sample size of residents relative to the total population to measure three variables one of which was the impact of jet noise. A properly designed survey would have included areas closer to the base where the noise is much worse in addition to the other two areas sampled that are further away from the base - a stratified random sampling plan should have been applied across these areas and a larger sample of opinion should have been collected. This would offset the bias in the statistical estimated derived from the 500 respondents used and the margin of error in the statistical results would have been reduced significantly. If reaccomplished in this fashion, the estimate of the number of people in VaB who are highly impacted by jet noise would have been much higher - perhaps as many as 175,000 or more. The survey results provided the survey's sponsors with the answers they wanted to hear - e. g. keep the base open, it provides great economic benefits, and the majority of city residents aren't concerned about jet noise. Many years ago, I taught business statistics in a community college. One of the texts I recommended for outside reading was "How to Lie With Statistics." The book has been out of print for many years; this survey makes me believe it's still being read. --Herb Kline, March 17, 2004
* (Response to guest letter in Soundings on Chamber Study) I live in Oceana and never been ask to do a survey. I bet if they did the survey here. They would have gotten a lots of complaints. Where I am is directly where the plane get ready to land and or take off. The decibel here probably go way pass it max limits. Even the deaf people probably can feel it taking off or landing every 3 - 5 min. There are nights I can't even watch the TV since I could not hear it. Due to the planes coming and going. There will be no end to this. We need to solve this problems. --Geri, March 17, 2004
 On Encroachment, the City of Virginia Beach's response, and CCAJN's stated position
 have prompted membership to speak out. Here is what a few of you have to say:
 (to read CCAJN's position on encroachment, go to Hot Topics.)

 *
I understand the Navy's desire to implement the JLUS to restrict development in the high noise areas. However, in the case of the Laskin Road area the development is already here. It makes little sense to challenge new residential area development, when in many cases existing residents are already in place which are adjacent to the areas that the Navy is opposing for development.

This would only make sense if the Navy/City had a plan to roll back existing encroachment. Are there any proposals to publicly condemn property in the high noise zone, and for the Federal Government to buy this property up and thereby move out residents which are impacted by the adverse noise levels? name withheld, March 29, 2004

Follow on e-mail: Since there is no plan for a "rollback", I presume that the myriad of high noise and health and safety risks associated with fighter jet carrier landing training does not exist for current affected residents.

Either there is a health and safety problem; or there is no health and safety problem. If it is a problem then the City of Virginia Beach and the Federal Government should embark on an active program of removing residents and businesses within the high noise, and safety crash zones (not to mention prohibit future development). If there is no health and safety problem then there should be no further restrictions on property development.

I find that the approach by CCAJN, the City, and the Navy to be inconsistent. How can on one side an argument be made that a naval fighter jet training base must be maintained within the heart of one of the most densely populated cities on the east coast, while at the same time say that the Navy can make restrictions on how selected tracks of land are developed which lie between already developed property within the same densely populated city?

I guess the idea is to keep the number of the affected population low enough to allow politicians to ignore the results of their zoning policies. Great for the developers and too bad for the 160,000 (give or take a few thousand) fools who should have not have chosen to live in Virginia Beach in the first place. But I guess an honest assessment by the City of Virginia Beach that living within large areas of the city is a health hazard does not fit within the city's marketing and development strategy.

But as usual it is all about money. . . who (developers, real estate agents, bankers, and building contractors) gets to cash in and who (residents) pays the price in increased health and safety risk. All of which was promoted and approved under the authority of our publicly elected city officials. I suppose that expecting public officials would take responsibility for maintaining public safety is asking too much.

Thanks for your answer to my question and I appreciate your efforts in attempting to influence the management of this colossal failure in public policy.

 *
All the news about encroachment and such, but nobody ever talks about the simple fact that Oceana is making MORE NOISE with LOUDER JETS and MORE OF THEM. I've lived near Oceana all my life. I eventually bought a house near Oceana. I didn't really mind the noise. I kind of admired those awesome machines. In a way I feel betrayed. I was willing to deal with the noise and did so for 30 years. I had no idea it would get MUCH WORSE. I will soon be leaving the area because of the noise. F/A18s are simply TOO LOUD to be based near where people live. Simply put, there is a limit to what people should be expected to tolerate. As much as I don't want things to get louder I would also hate to see Oceana closed. If we could be assured that the F/A18s (current or "Super") would not perform "touch and go" flights at Oceana, things should be fine. The occaisional Earth-shaking roar of them going to and from the base would probably be tolerable. .-- F.S., February 14, 2004

  *
Based on the dubious logic behind "DNL" noise measurement: if I get hit by a speeding bus, I should be just fine because most of the day I was not being hit by a bus.--
F.S., February 14, 2004
* I agree it would be silly to go against all your previous positions and advocate more growth around Oceana. That would, among other things, be  morally wrong. I would hope that people like John Warner would simply side with the Navy and tell the city if it wants the military to keep the base here it will have to listen to them, not try to go over their heads.

As far as the issue of jet noise goes back, I wrote an article for Metro Magazine in the mid 70s, urging that Oceana be closed, since it was making the area uninhabitable and threatened the lives of residents. In the next month's issue Congressman Whitehurst responded, saying Oceana was overall a big  benefit to the city. That was just about 30 years ago. The argument that nobody  minds jet noise is really a stupid one. Of course, the Navy has to field all  those phone calls from unhappy residents, so they know there's a problem.  Incidentally I think your current attitude toward Oceana is the correct one to take  and is so moderate toward the problem that there is really no rational argument  against it.--Ed Bacon
* I totally agree with the approach CCAJN has used in the past and continues today. Keep up the good work and thanks for doing what most of us are unable to do. The City Council seems bent on "suicide" because of their greed. --Bob Clapp
* Though I wish more people would make the connection between this area being second in the nation behind Pittsburgh in "brain drain," and the potential of high tech corporate development should the Navy  decide a city of 435,00 is not the ideal place to train pilots and abandon Oceana, I agree your agenda of pragmatic compromise is the high road.  Let's hope, though, that the developers get their way and, as you say, nature takes its course.  Thank you for your great work on behalf of many of the residents of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.--name withheld
* My thoughts where the same as others members, that keeping quiet on  the encroachment issue and letting the Council drive the jets out would have  been the best approach. However I see your point, also. I'm curious  as to weather the reduction in fly bye's with jets 2 to 4 times louder is  actually a better quality of life or not. We'll see?

Thanks for the effort  and keep up the good work! --Dave
* Kudos is due to all CCAJN Board  members for defining your policy and sticking with it.  Openness and consistency is not something VA Beach city council can be relied on for.  Keep up the good work you're doing.  It is encouraging  to know that someone is  keeping  tab on what is truly for the best of our community. --Gabe Jimenez
* I agree 100%  with CCAJN policy and appreciate them taking the high road.  If CCAJN had taken the  position early on to close Oceana NAS then I do not think that the changes agreed to by  the Navy would have been considered, let alone adopted, because CCAJN would have  been considered a crazy extreme group and no one would have taken them seriously.  I too, do not want Oceana NAS to pull out of Virginia  Beach, even though I live in Chesapeake.  I don't think it is necessary as long as the second OLF is built.  Unfortunately, it will be a long time  before we get the field but, at least the Navy is trying to help the citizens somewhat have to  say, secretly, a little part, just a little part of me would like to see  Oceana pull out, or at least really threaten to, so I could see the city Council squirm. --Teresa Lane
* I am in full agreement with your logic and your plans and your  email.  The City Council may, in the end, drive the Navy out.  But whether  that happens or not, CCAJN is doing an incredible job of staying the course and being persistent and knowledgeable on the subjects.
--Sylvia Boecker 

On the Pilot's Out of Touch Editorial on Noise Complaints, (see E-News dated 12/29/03) and (see E-News dated 1/10/04)
* The letter that was published by the Pilot and by a editor of the Pilot is a tremendous disgrace for journalism as a whole. The New York Times fired a reporter (Blair) for his outright lies.The Pilot has yet to even file an apology. Concerning the era that we live in, where we count on our Media to be a trustworthly source of information, I will never believe anything in print from them again. They are an absolute disgrace! --Dave Sawyer, January 10, 2004

* 
If they don't think there are many jet noise complaints then they need to go back and review the hearing that was held at the Pavilion! Marcia Humphrey, January 10, 2004

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I have tried on several occasions to submit a noise form to Oceana using the form available on their web site. The form will not work or transmit. I fill out the information and attempt to send. Can you help me to find out what I can do to correct this problem. I want to complain about several things to do with Oceana noise. Please help........J.C., January 12, 2004
CCAJN RESPONSE: Ray Firenze at Oceana is the Community Relations officer, 433-3158. Troy Snead, the PIO, is actually the guy who runs the Website, I don't know his extension, but he can be reached through the Oceana switchboard.
 * We need to thank all those individuals that have put "I love Jet Noise" bumper stickers on their automobiles for they have essentially admitted to a problem. They truly are advertising our cause and not theirs. -- Gabe, December 29, 2003

 Other
* Our house is directly in the path of jets flying at fentress. In fact I've talked to pilots who have stated that they use my house as a land mark, my concern is that our house is breaking apart from this noise of the hornets. We have been here for thirty four years and have never experienced anything like this. Can you tell us if there is any legal recourse we can take for the damage that is happening to our home from these jets? --Jason Jordan, Feburary 23, 2004