Environmental study delayed for potential Navy training airfield

GIRARD - The Navy isn&#39;t expected to have a decision on where to place a $40 million training airfield until at least early summer after an environmental study of a site in Burke County was delayed. <br> <br> The sooner-than-expected retirement of the F-14 - pushed up from 2010 to 2007 - and the earlier introduction of the F/A-18 forced the delay, said Navy spokesman Lt. Joe Carpenter. <br> <br> Burke County is one of seven areas being considered for the airfield, where the attack jets will practice takeoffs and landings. <br> <br> A key factor in the practice field&#39;s location is where the new aircraft will be based. Four current options are Navy air stations in Oceana, Va., and Meridian, Miss.; and Marine Corps air stations in Cherry Point, N.C., and Beaufort, S.C. <br> <br> The environmental impact statement should be completed by early summer, the Navy said. <br> <br> U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, R-Augusta, Georgia Sens. Max Cleland and Zell Miller and many residents are against the airfield being built in Burke County because of excessive noise, disruptive night flights, loss of family farms and tax base, and disintegration of a rural way of life.