Rep. Gabe Vasquez Opposes Expansion of Military Flight Operations Over the Gila Wilderness

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, September 17, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) expressed his strong opposition to the proposed expansion of military flight operations over the Gila Wilderness, citing the harmful effects it would have on local communities, businesses and the environment. In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Vasquez urged the Air Force to reconsider moving forward with plans to expand the Military Operations Area (MOA) in Southwest New Mexico.

“Over the past month, I have heard from countless constituents who have expressed serious concerns about the impacts these new flights will have on their lives,” said Vasquez in the letter. “The Gila Wilderness is our nation’s first wilderness area and is known for its pristine landscapes and vast variety of wildlife and plants. The expansion of low-flight military operations poses serious threats to the integrity of this special environment.”

Vasquez highlighted the potential economic damage, with increased noise pollution from supersonic flights as low as 5,000 feet likely deterring tourism and disrupting outdoor recreational activities, critical drivers for local businesses. Vasquez’s letter echoes the concerns his staff heard in a local meeting in Animas, where hundreds of New Mexicans voiced their opposition to the expansion, citing similar concerns.

He also raised concerns about the potential environmental hazards associated with the use of chaffs and flares, which pose a wildfire risk and may contain harmful chemicals like PFAS, known to persist in the environment and potentially harm human and ecological health.

Counties across New Mexico have opposed the expansion, with Grant, Catron and Hidalgo counties passing resolutions opposing the proposal. Vasquez is calling for the Air Force to limit these operations to the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) in Arizona, where combat training already occurs.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Vasquez remains committed to working with the Department of Defense to find a solution that prioritizes national security needs without compromising the health of New Mexico’s wilderness areas or the livelihoods of those in rural communities.

Full text of the letter is available here.

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