A new proposal by the U.S. Marine Corps is stirring controversy in Johnson Valley, as off-road racing enthusiasts, public lands advocates, and drone pilots warn that it could severely curtail recreational access and aerial freedoms.
At issue is a proposed expansion of military training airspace — known as Special Use Airspace (SUA) — that could extend “surface-to-sky” restrictions over large swaths of Johnson Valley. Under such a scheme, the skies above the terrain would come under the control of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, effectively requiring civilian operators, including drone pilots and helicopter medevac services, to obtain permission before entering.
The Marine Corps is seeking this SUA expansion as part of broader efforts to enhance readiness and secure airspace for training. If approved, it would give the military authority over both the surface area and airspace (“surface-to-sky”), rather than the current system that more narrowly restricts use of land and airspace separately Racing organizers warn that many aspects of events such as the King of the Hammers which uses drone‐based live coverage, safety monitoring from chase vehicles, and aerial oversight—would be compromised.
Land use advocates and the public has until September 15th, 2025 to send in comments on the proposal.
