RALEIGH, N.C. -- The fight over the Navy's desire to build a practice landing field for its jet fighters will continue.

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The Navy said Wednesday it will proceed with preparing environmental impact statements for five possible sites for the so-called outlying landing field, three in Virginia and two in North Carolina. The process is expected to take more than two years.

 

The landing field would be home to an 8,000-foot runway, aircraft traffic control tower and a few other support buildings. Pilots based in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va., would use the facility to practice landing on aircraft carriers.

 

The Navy has previously met fierce resistance to building the landing field from residents who don't want to give up their land. Many feel the field would ruin a peaceful rural lifestyle.