Even though congressmen are saying budget battles will likely kill the Air Force's proposed electronic combat range in the western desert, the watchdog group Downwinders says it will keep attacking the idea anyway.
"We've seen the military stretch out a lot of projects like that by simply giving them just enough money for research to keep them alive for years and years. So we'll keep fighting," said Downwinders spokesman Steve Erickson.His group is concerned about secrecy by the Air Force regarding details of its plans for the range, which will test radio- and radar-jamming equipment. It will have low-flying, supersonic aircraft that will also drop flares and chaff.
The group has sued the Air Force for more information, has testified in Congress against the proposal and has organized publicity tours through affected communities.
"We won't let up," Erickson said, even though both Reps. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, and Wayne Owens, D-Utah, said in recent days they feel budget cuts will doom the range.