Army unit plans flight training on Whiteface Mountain

WILMINGTON -- The Army's 10th Mountain Division Airborne unit plans to use Whiteface Mountain to train for helicopter flights in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan.

The unit from Fort Drum has filed a public notice of the planned training missions from early April to mid-May. Army helicopters would practice landing and taking off from the mountain's summit and two sites along the Whiteface Veteran's Memorial Highway in up to 22 missions per week, Monday through Thursday.

Fort Drum has prepared an Environmental Assessment for the proposed operations and is accepting public comments through March 31.

The document is available for review at the public libraries in Lake Placid and Wilmington.

John Sheehan of the Adirondack Council environmental group says the training plan was drawn up with input from his group and others, and has their support.

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