Air Force Says Bill Threatens Test Flights

Air Force officials told Antelope Valley business people Tuesday that a desert preservation bill pending in Congress could hamper low-altitude flights from Edwards Air Force Base. However, the officials rejected local speculation that the base might be forced to move.

The proposed California desert protection act, sponsored by Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), would give about 7.5 million acres of desert--mostly in Southern California--either wilderness or parkland status. The land would include tracts under the airspace used by Edwards and other military bases.

Cranston and environmental groups supporting his bill say it would not restrict military use of airspace over the desert. But Air Force officials say it could preclude the sort of low-altitude testing now done at Edwards. The officials said the base will stay where it is, but that they could be forced to shift some flights to more remote areas.