Letter to Lawrence E. Strickling, Secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration - Expedite Request for Access to Essential Radio Frequency

Letter

Dear Secretary Strickling,

I write to request that NTIA expedite its review of the New York Air National Guard (ANG) 174th Fighter Wing request for the C-Band radio frequency. As you are aware, access to this frequency is essential for the ANG to train with the MQ-9 Reaper that supports our U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.

The C-Band, which the New York ANG has applied to access, would allow for launch and recovery operations with an information link that controls the MQ-9 for takeoff and landings. If allowed access to the C-Band the ANG would be able to start flight training operations as early as June 1, 2011, at Fort Drum's Wheeler Sack Army Airfield.

I understand that the Department of Defense placed a request with NTIA's Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee in May of 2009. However, that request was tabled. If the board were to approve this request in April, it would still take an additional 4-6 months for the Federal Aviation Administration to provide a Certificate of Authorization approval to fly unmanned aircraft. These delays would have a harmful impact on the testing and operation of these important vehicles.

I respectfully urge NTIA and the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee to expedite its review of the New York Air National Guard 174th Fighter Wing request for the C-Band radio frequency.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact my Washington, DC office at 202-224-6542.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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