Powder River Training Complex (PRTC) – Proposed Changes
Posted by Mitch Lutze-Morris on Aug. 18, 2025 / Subscribe 0
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate proposed modifications to the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC) airspace. The EIS will assess the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of changes intended to optimize the airspace for military readiness and national defense.
Specifically, the EIS will analyze improvements to the PRTC airspace structure to address current limitations in daily training operations for aircrews from Ellsworth and Minot Air Force Bases. It will also consider enhancements to support an increased capacity for Large Force Exercises (LFEs), which could include the use of higher altitudes and expanded activation windows.
Aviation stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed alternatives and provide input on potential impacts to civilian and commercial airspace users.
Additional details and ongoing updates can be found at: www.PRTCairspaceEIS.com
The proposed alternatives under consideration for the Powder River Training Complex are outlined below:
Alternative 1
Under Alternative 1, the ceiling of the two primary airspace segments used for day-to-day training would be raised to improve the high-altitude training capability. This alternative also includes an administrative change to the published times of use to align with how the complex is currently used for day-to-day training. Lastly, under this alternative the ceiling of all the PRTC airspace would be raised during LFEs and the total LFE days would be increased.
Specifically, Alternative 1 includes:
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Actions to improve day-to-day operations:
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Raise the ceiling of Powder River 2 and Gateway West ATCAAs from 26,000 feet to 60,000 feet
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Change times of use to 7:00 am to 12:30 am Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday, and other times by Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)
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These changes to day-to-day training won’t change the annual total operations in the complex, but the aircraft activity would occur at higher altitudes
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Approximately 90 percent of training time would be in Powder River 2 and Gateway West ATCAAs
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Approximately 90 percent of training time in all of PRTC is above 18,000 feet
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Actions to improve training capability of LFEs:
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Raise the ceiling of all PRTC from 26,000 feet to 60,000 feet
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Increase the total days allowed annually from 10 days to 30 days
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Increase duration allowed for individual LFE events from 3 days to 12 days (no weekend flying)
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The additional LFE days could increase annual total operations in the complex up to 4,974 sorties from 3,234 sorties
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Approximately 90 percent of LFE training time is above 18,000 feet
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Changes for Day-to-Day Training (Monday through Friday)
Changes for LFE Training (up to 30 days per year)
Alternative 2
Under Alternative 2, the ceiling of three airspace segments would be raised to improve the high-altitude training capability of day-to-day training and the lateral dimensions of two ATCAAs would be reduced. Other changes would be the same as Alternative 1 and include an administrative change to the published times of use for day-to-day training, raising the ceiling of the entire complex during LFEs, and increasing the total LFE days.
Specifically, Alternative 2 includes:
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Actions to improve day-to-day operations:
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Reduce dimensions of Gateway East ATCAA and allow day-to-day use (currently only allowed for LFEs)
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Reduce dimensions of Gateway West ATCAA (exact reduction would be determined between the Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration outside of this EIS process)
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Raise the ceiling of the Powder River 2, Gateway East, and Gateway West ATCAAs from 26,000 feet to 60,000 feet
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Change times of use for PRTC to 7:00 am to 12:30 am Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday, and other times by NOTAM (same as Alternative 1)
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These changes won’t impact the annual total operations in the complex, but the aircraft activity would occur in a new area on a day-to-day basis and occur at higher altitudes
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Approximately 90 percent of training time would be in Powder River 2, Gateway East, and Gateway West ATCAAs
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Approximately 90 percent of training time in all of PRTC is above 18,000 feet
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Actions to improve training capability of LFEs:
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Incorporate reduced dimensions to Gateway East and West ATCAAs
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Raise the ceiling of all PRTC from 26,000 feet to 60,000 feet (same as Alternative 1)
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Increase the total days allowed annually from 10 days to 30 days (same as Alternative 1)
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Increase duration allowed for individual LFE events from 3 days to 12 days (no weekend flying) (same as Alternative 1)
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The additional LFE days could increase annual total operations in the complex up to 4,974 sorties from 3,234 sorties (same as Alternative 1)
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Approximately 90 percent of LFE training time is above 18,000 feet
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Changes for Day-to-Day Training (Monday through Friday)
Changes for LFE Training (up to 30 days per year)
No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, the day-to-day operations and LFEs would continue in the PRTC as they do currently. The DAF would continue to have limited training airspace vertically for the B-1 and B-52 and limit the integration opportunities with 5th generation aircraft. The altitude limitations would continue to decrease the value of LFEs in PRTC for most combat aircraft and discourage them from attending an LFE. The continuation of inefficient training threatens aircrew survivability and mission readiness.
Public Meetings
The Air Force is hosting three Virtual Public Meetings and several in-person public meetings during the scoping period to provide information to interested parties and to solicit comments from the public on the proposed action and alternatives. Please attend a meeting to meet with Air Force representatives and ask questions. If you do not wish to attend a meeting in person you may participate in one of the virtual meetings.
Provide Comments
We encourage you to submit your comments and concerns directly to the U.S. Air Force through their project website at www.PRTCairspaceEIS.com by September 9th.
In addition, the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission is seeking feedback on how the proposed changes may impact North Dakota airports and airspace users. Please share your input with us by August 20th by calling 701-328-9650 or emailing [email protected].
Be sure to stay up to date on the latest aviation news. Visit ND Aeronautics Commission's website for more articles and the North Dakota Aviation Association website for the online edition of the Fly-ND Quarterly.
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