Ansbach and Illesheim Noise Abatement Commission meet at Katterbach

Photo By Thomas Mort | Members of the Noise Abatement Commission exchange ideas and opinions at the semi-annual Noise Abatement Commission meeting at Katterbach Army Airfield, Sept. 27, 2022. Noise Abatement Commission meetings are scheduled twice a year in the spring and fall to discuss the 12 CAB Summer Flight Program. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort)  

ANSBACH, GERMANY

09.30.2022

Story by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort 

12th Combat Aviation Brigade

Katterbach, Germany – Leadership from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade met with local German representatives of the Noise Abatement Commission to discuss the Summer Night Flying Program and noise abatement at Katterbach Army Airfield on Sept. 27, 2022.

“The Noise Abatement Commission is an opportunity for 12 CAB to meet and brief our community partners on the results of the Summer Night Flying Program,” said Col. Patrick Schuck, commander, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. ”It is always a great opportunity to build understanding and relationships with our surrounding community partners in the Illesheim and Katterbach areas.”

Noise Abatement Commission meetings are scheduled twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Beginning in 2020, a chart from Illesheim showed a decrease in complaints every year and only one in 2022. Ansbach's evaluation of flight density shows flight operations from 2020 to 2022 are at a comparable level. Since 2017 there has been a drastic number of complaints, up to 89 percent through today.

“We are not perfect; we make mistakes absolutely,” added Schuck. “But because we also live in this community, we investigate everything, and we ask for help to make sure that we continue to grow.”

The 2022 summer night flying program chart shows a schedule of what time flights from May through July occur. In Ansbach and Illesheim, two nights per week per helicopter flying coordination area (HFCA) is authorized. No traffic pattern or practice approaches and no hot-refueling are authorized after midnight.

Compensation days include no flights after 1900 hours Monday through Thursday during the course of the Summer Night Flying Program. Friday may be used as a compensation day if flight operations terminate before 1500 hours. Lastly, weekends and German holidays may not be used for compensation days.

The meeting concluded amiably as Schuck asked the group for any feedback or complaints.

“We just wrapped up the semi-annual noise abatement council meeting today, and there were no issues or concerns,” concluded Schuck. “Overall, I think it was a positive engagement that furthered our relationship with the communities surrounding Illesheim and Ansbach.”

For further questions or concerns, the German military aviation authority can be reached at 0800-8620730 and the 12 CAB complaint hotline at 0152-0911-4369. The U.S. Army in Ansbach informational website can be reached here: https://www.ansbach.de/B%C3%BCrger/Rathaus-Service/US-Armee/

12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2022
• Date Posted: 09.30.2022 07:12
• Story ID: 430452
• Location: ANSBACH, DE