Issue:
LG‐3
AZARNG Site:
Silverbell
Army Heliport
/ Picacho Peak
Stagefield
Future growth may impact night training at
Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak
Stagefield.
Night training occurs in the region around
Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak
Stagefield. Future growth around the installation
and operational areas, especially near approach
and departure routes, could impact night vision
training capabilities.
Compatibility Assessment
The training activities conducted at Silverbell Army Heliport and Picacho Peak Stagefield,
as well as within the TFTA include daytime and nighttime operations to ensure realistic
training in support of real‐world military and civil requirements. Nighttime operations
are conducted primarily using naked eye scenarios; however, NVG are also sometimes
used when mission needs dictate. The TFTA has two primary flight routes designated for
nighttime helicopter training, providing a capability that is not widely available at other
military locations. These night training routes are shown on Figure 5‐18. Maintaining the
viability of the flight routes is critical to the flying mission at SBAH and Picacho Peak
Stagefield.
AZARNG helicopters at SBAH
as dusk approaches
Source: AZARNG,
https://dema.az.gov/army‐
national‐guard/marana.
As discussed in the compatibility assessment for LG‐2, the development of land areas
around AZARNG training facilities has the potential to negatively impact the military
training mission and SBAH, Picacho Peak Stagefield, and the TFTA locations are no
different in this regard. Among the potential impacts from nearby development is light
pollution from local jurisdictions as shown on Figure 5‐17. While much of the TFTA has
minimal light pollution, indicated by the gray and blue shading on the map, there are
areas around Casa Grande, Eloy, and Marana where light pollution is present and may
grow in the future with increased development. As mentioned previously excessive light
pollution or sky glow can have a detrimental effect on the AZARNG mission at facilities
located in Pinal County. As presented in issue LG‐2, both the State of Arizona and Pinal
County have regulations designed to reduce impacts of light pollution.
The Town of Marana and City of Eloy also have regulations in place to reduce impacts
from light pollution. The Town of Marana Outdoor Light Code regulates outdoor lighting
in an effort “to preserve the relationship of the residents of the Town of Marana to their
unique desert environment through protection of access to the dark night sky.” The Code
specifically calls out support for astronomy activity and energy reduction as desired
outcomes of minimizing nighttime lighting. Key elements of the Code include the
following.
Background Report
5-105