Navy proposes drone operations base in California

POINT MUGU, Calif. – About 700 personnel and their families would move to Point Mugu under a military proposal to make Naval Base Ventura County the West Coast home for a drone aircraft.

The Ventura County Star reports the Navy is seeking public comment on its proposal to base four remotely-controlled Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Point Mugu for marine reconnaissance beginning in 2020. The base also would serve as a maintenance center, supporting up to four additional aircraft.

Naval officials released a draft environmental assessment on Friday. The public can comment on it until March 11.

The newspaper says the drone would conduct an average of five daily flights, increasing overall operations at Point Mugu by about five percent.

The Triton is a 48-foot unarmed drone with a 131-foot wingspan.