Military training expansion doesn't sit well with some in Mat-Su

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The military's plan to expand one of its training areas in southcentral is raising concern among Mat-Su residents.

According to the military, the proposal only affects air space, but some in the valley say they worry what the expansion could lead to.

This proposed expansion could put the military's training area next door to the most populated areas of the Mat-Su.

The plan is to extend the boundaries for what the military calls its Fox 3 Military Operations area.

The expansion would be over multiple hundreds of square miles, bringing the boundary just slightly north of Wasilla.

The plan calls for an increase in military air traffic for training involving C-17s and F-22 Raptors.

This plan could mean a potential change in the rules for military exercises by allowing military aircraft to fly as low as 500 feet.

Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright says he and others are concerned about how the expanded training area could affect Mat-Su.