Overview of Proposed Action

What is the PRTC?

The PRTC is a group of Military Operations Areas (MOAs) and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspaces (ATCAAs), which overlays parts of South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. Currently the complex is the day-to-day (primarily Monday through Friday) training complex for B-1 aircrews from the 28th Bomb Wing (28 BW) at Ellsworth AFB and B-52 aircrews from the 5th Bomb Wing (5 BW) at Minot AFB. In addition to day-to-day training operations, the PRTC hosts Large Force Exercises (LFEs) for joint forces to participate in realistic combat training scenarios. The PRTC currently supports an average of 3,234 sorties annually (a sortie is the takeoff, mission, and landing of a single aircraft). 

MOAs are a type of Special Use Airspace established for the purpose of separating certain military training activities from other air traffic. MOAs are used for non-hazardous activities such as air combat tactics, aerobatics, formation training, and low-altitude tactics. MOAs are established in lower altitudes, below 18,000 feet.
 
ATCAAs are airspace of defined vertical and lateral limits, assigned by air traffic control, for the purpose of providing air traffic segregation between the specified activities being conducted, within the assigned airspace and other traffic. ATCAAs are typically established in higher altitudes, above 18,000 feet.

The primary day-to-day MOAs include Powder River (PR) 1, 2, 3, and 4 along with their associated ATCAAs that exist above the MOAs. The PR 1, 2, and 3 MOAs are vertically segmented into a low and high MOA. The PR4 MOA does not have a low MOA. The low and high MOAs with an ATCAA above provides training space from 500 feet up to 26,000 feet, while the PR 4 MOA/ATCAA provides space from 12,000 feet up to 26,000 feet. The Gateway West ATCAA is also used day-to-day and provides training space from 18,000 feet up to 26,000 feet. The Gap A, B, and C MOAs/ATCAAs and the Gateway East ATCAA are only available during LFEs.

 

Interactive Map

What is the Proposed Action?

The Proposed Action is to address shortfalls in aircrew readiness by improving day-to-day training and increasing the capability of LFEs hosted at PRTC to meet emerging threats to National Security.

Specifically, the Proposed Action includes: 

  •  Actions to improve day-to-day operations:
    • Raise the ceiling of the most used ATCAAs
    • Change times of use for PRTC 
  • Actions to improve training capability of LFEs:
    • Raise the ceiling of all of PRTC
    • Increase the total days allowed annually
    • Increase duration allowed for individual LFEs

There are no proposed changes to the altitude or horizontal dimensions of any of the MOAs (which provide low-level training airspace). All of the proposed changes address shortfalls in higher altitudes (above 26,000 feet).

Frequently Asked Questions

MOAs are a type of Special Use Airspace and consist of airspace of defined vertical and lateral limits established for the purpose of separating certain military training activities from Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic. Whenever a MOA is being used, nonparticipating IFR traffic may be cleared through a MOA if IFR separation can be provided by Air Traffic Control (ATC). Otherwise, ATC will reroute or restrict nonparticipating IFR traffic. Non-participating aircraft flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) may transit an active MOA by employing see-and-avoid procedures. Pilots operating under VFR should exercise extreme caution while flying within a MOA when military activity is being conducted. The activity status (active/inactive) of MOAs may change frequently and is published in the Federal Aviation Administration NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) system.  Prior to entering an active MOA, pilots should contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories.  

ATCAA is not Special Use Airspace but Special Activity Airspace and typically established at altitudes at or above 18,000 feet. ATCAAs are designated in a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the FAA, are not published on aeronautical charts, and exist only when made available for users by the FAA. ATC separates all non-participating aircraft from active ATCAA airspace but may recall the airspace at any time if needed for emergency purposes.

The 28 BW and the 5 BW units are expected to deploy and execute air operations anywhere in the world with short notice. To successfully accomplish their missions, these units must have access to training airspace that allows units to fly their aircraft’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) at the altitudes and in the same manner as they would in combat. Training in airspace that lacks requisite volume, altitude, and attributes introduces artificial constraints and limits training effectiveness. Counterproductive training experience threatens aircrew survivability and mission readiness. To accomplish their TTPs, the 28 BW and 5 BW aircrews need to train in higher altitude, up to 60,000 feet, and the PRTC currently only provides airspace up to 26,000 feet. 

The PRTC hosts LFEs, which are military training exercises that involve a significant number of participants and assets and are designed to prepare servicemen and women for real-world scenarios. The importance and complexity of LFEs has evolved with advanced aircraft capabilities and combat strategies. LFEs have grown into large combat integration exercises with participation by more types of aircraft, specifically 5th generation fighter aircraft F-22 and F-35. The integration of multiple aircraft types has become a critical training tool for many units. LFEs are moving away from 2- or 3-day long exercises to 5-day up to 2-week events. Longer duration exercises enable units to achieve complex realistic training. Currently, the duration of LFE events at PRTC is limited to up to 3 days quarterly (no more than 10 days annually). This limits the complexity for the LFE scenarios.

The Air Force has identified two preliminary alternatives and a No Action Alternative. The action Alternatives must meet the following objectives:

  • Provide sufficient volume of training space at PRTC required to effectively accomplish Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
  • Accommodate more effective Large Force Exercises (LFEs) at PRTC by increasing the duration of individual events.
  • Integrate 5th generation aircraft in bomber training at PRTC.
  • Provide training environment that aligns as closely as possible to real-world scenarios.
  • Utilize existing ground assets at PRTC.

Click on the link below to learn more about the alternatives.

Summary of Alternatives