Keesler AFB Plans and Programs
The Keesler AFB plans and programs provide guidance for land uses and
development activities on and adjacent to the installation. These tools
govern land use decisions that occur inside the fence line or within the
boundary of the military mission footprint in relation to the military mission
or proposed military mission.
These tools also provide guidance and establish measures for standard
operating procedures during certain events, such as a bird air strike hazard
conditions and / or the parameters for conducting missions within the range
of the complex. There are various installation tools that are instrumental in
assisting and guiding land use decisions in regards to base operations.
Air Installation Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Study
The DoD initiated the AICUZ program to assist government entities and
communities in anticipating, identifying, and promoting compatible land use
and development near military installations with aircraft activity. The AICUZ
program involves coordinating the efforts of installation commanders and
local community leaders and other government agencies to encourage
compatible development of land in proximity to military airfields. It also
serves to protect the health, safety, and welfare of civilians and military
personnel by encouraging land development that is compatible with aircraft
operations, while protecting the public investment in the installation. This
program recommends compatibility measures and land uses that are
compatible with specific elements of military airfields, including elevated
sound levels, accident potential zones, and obstruction clearance criteria.
The AICUZ program has two objectives. The first is to assist local, regional,
state and federal officials in protecting and promoting the public health,
safety, and welfare by promoting compatible development within the AICUZ
area of influence. The second is to protect Air Force operational capability
from the effects of land use that are incompatible with aircraft operations.
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Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Plan
Keesler AFB last updated its BASH Plan in December 2016 and is currently in
review for 2017. The purpose of the plan is to reduce the amount of bird and
wildlife strike hazards in the vicinity of the installation. The plan takes into
consideration both resident and seasonal bird populations. This plan
establishes procedures for reducing bird strikes through bird management
and alerting pilots of bird activity.
Waivers
Waivers must be submitted for any project on an Air Force base that creates
an obstruction or intrusion to the airfield and airspace. According to
AFI 32‐7063 Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Program, there
are uses within the clear zones that are prohibited and are not able to be
waivered, including:
Uses that release into the air any substance which would impair
visibility or otherwise interfere with the operation of aircraft, e.g.
steam, dust, and smoke;
Uses that produce light emissions, either direct or indirect (reflective),
which would interfere with pilot vision;
Uses that would attract birds or waterfowl, such as the operation of
sanitary landfills, maintenance of feeding stations, or growing of
certain vegetation;
Uses that produce electromagnetic emissions which would interfere
with aircraft computer/communication systems or navigational
equipment; and
Explosive facilities or activities.
Keesler AFB utilizes waivers for such land uses. The Base must review
existing waivers and plans to eliminate obstructions on an annual basis and
then must submit the review to Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
every other year to “approve requests to close and amend airfield waivers.”