Grissom Hushed in Recent Years

The overall noise impact from Grissom ARB, Ind., on the surrounding community has decreased by 20 percent over the last 20 years, reported the Kokomo Tribune. Col. Doug Schwartz, commander of the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom, told the newspaper the decrease can be attributed to a significant decline in flight operations since the base’s realignment as a reserve base, and because its KC-135R Stratotankers now have quieter engines than they once did. A recent air installation study recommends new planning and zoning guidelines and the proper planning for future development around the base, the article said. “Even though there’s been a reduction, we continually need to coordinate with the base and people looking to develop around it to make sure we don’t do anything to jeopardize our aviation potential,” said Jim Tidd, executive director of the Miami County Economic Development Authority. (Grissom release.)