B757-200
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness; Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Weather; Airspace Structure; Procedure
Weather was saturating the entire Southeastern United States. Aircraft were deviating with regularity. W134; W132A; W157A were all active FL340 and below. Aircraft wanted to deviate East into these warning areas; but the military refused to release the airspace despite multiple phone calls. I coordinated multiple deviations with the individual Controller at Sealord along with a descent clearance before the aircraft flew into W157A. As the D-Side controller at Sector 68; I called Sealord to coordinate a B757 deviating for weather and direct to GRDON Intersection when able. They said point out approved. I also coordinated the aircraft descending to FL240. They said point out approved. After Sector 58 had RADAR responsibility on the B757 and while he was descending through FL305; Sealord called in a panic and asks us to stop the aircraft along with one behind him at FL300. They then informed us that the GUNNEX areas were active FL300 and below. I immediately told my R-Side to stop the B757 descent and he quickly obliged. However; I find it troublesome that the military asked us to stop the aircraft at FL300 when they informed us that the GUNNEX areas were active up to and including FL300. We stopped the subsequent aircraft that they also approved on the point out descending to FL240 at FL310. It should be noted that the GUNNEX areas are a live-fire exercise area. I think it is completely illogical to force aircraft to fly into potentially unsafe situations and through extreme precipitation because the military has a scheduled mission. After multiple phone calls attempting to acquire the release areas; the military still would not release the airspace. This lack of compromise was despite not having any aircraft in the warning areas because they said they had no communication with the ship. With the entire Eastern seaboard air traffic unable to travel West due to inclement weather; a scheduled military mission should never trump safety of the flying public. Our management has told us that it is our job to 'protect' Sealord and that the military will not release the airspace back to us. Our Letter of Agreement with JAX is dated over 20 years ago. Multiple revisions have been made to the letter; however ZJX still does not have the ability to recall the airspace when it is most important. Furthermore; Sealord has called the airspace active on multiple occasions despite having no aircraft in the vicinity of the airspace solely because they have a scheduled mission. Egos need to be set aside and the powers that be need to sit down and compromise to promote the safety of the flying public. It appears that the possibilities of a scheduled military mission are more important than the safety of the flying public.
ZJX Controller voiced frustration with Sealord military operations and their unwillingness to released airspace when weather factors demand immediate action.