The Navy is in the early stages of looking for a training facility for its new generations of Hornets, the Super Hornet. Officials are determining whether it should be near existing bases in the South, including the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Jasper is one of eight sites being considered in the state, according to Navy officials. Also on the list are Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Orangeburg counties. The land would likely be in a secluded area because of the noise, Dent said.
Pilots do extensive practice landings on runways before landing on the tops of carriers.
A final site selection is years away, said Lt. Cmdr. Joe Navratil, a Navy spokesman. F aircraft are 4.2 feet longer than earlier Hornets and have a 25 percent larger wing area. They carry 33 percent more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41 percent. The jets also have two additional weapons stations, bringing the total to 11.