The public will have the opportunity this week to learn about the environmental impact of the new P-8A Poseidon aircraft being stationed at NAS Jacksonville at a meeting set for Thursday.
The P-8A’s are military versions of a Boeing 737 and are used primarily for anti-submarine warfare and maritime security. The switch from the old propeller PC-3 Orion’s is about halfway completed.
The planes are slightly louder than the plane they’re replacing but they won’t fly as often.
Currently five fleet squadrons and the training squadron are home based at NAS Jax but an additional squad may be added later. Most training will be held in a flight simulator on base.
The public meeting is required as part of the final environmental impact study.
U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs Officer Ted Brown said they want to hear from the public regarding any concerns they might have about the P-8A’s.
"The public lives here, they know the issues and if there is something we didn't do right we want to to know about it." He said.
The meeting is scheduled for the Holiday Inn on Wells Road in Orange Park from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. There will be no formal presentation but officials will be available to answer questions.
You can follow Kevin on Twitter @KMeerschaertJax.
