Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement today on the U.S. Air Force’s announcement of the decision to postpone indefinitely the plan for low-altitude tactical navigation (LATN) flights over Southern Colorado and New Mexico:

“Coloradans are proud of our state’s contribution to the national defense, and want to ensure our aircrews have the highest quality training, but it’s clear that additional coordination is necessary to ensure that missions don’t interfere with other military, medical, or agricultural operations.  I am glad the Air Force heard the voices of Coloradans in communities throughout the state and has taken their concerns into consideration.”

The proposed LATN operations would be flown from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and would affect communities in Southern Colorado and the Four Corners region.

Bennet has written two letters, cosigned by Senator Mark Udall, in 2010 and 2011, expressing concerns about the potential impact that proposed Low-Altitude Tactical Navigation flights could have on civilian and military aviation operations and other interests in Southern Colorado. The letters urged Air Force officials to work with residents, businesses and other military installations to ensure safety and protect quality of life.