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Air Guard Makes Significant Airspace Modifications 
To Ease Burden On Local Aviators

Georgia Air National Guard officials working in conjunction with the FAA and local civilian aviation authorities have made significant airspace modifications for the existing Military Operating Areas (MOA) surrounding the Townsend Range near Jesup, GA. With modifications to the existing airspace, Georgia Air National Guard officials do not anticipate a significant increase in current operations at the Townsend Range.

The new proposal currently being circulated by the FAA reduces the size of the existing airspace needed by the Air National Guard to conduct mission requirements.

The Coastal MOA, as the redesigned airspace is known, reduces the boundaries of the airspace and redefines the altitudes at which aircraft can enter and exit the National Guard training area. The new proposal aids civilian pilots to safely transit the area with new services offered by the Guard.

“The Coastal MOA airspace will be activated by the Air Guard as required, on a “real time” basis immediately prior to the arrival of military aircraft in the area,” says Col. Gene Ashley, Commander of the Combat Readiness Training Center of the Georgia Air National Guard in Savannah who supervises activities at Townsend Range. This proposal eliminates the airspace being restricted for large periods of time for military operations

The Air Guard has provided a Military Operations Advisory Service for pilots to use when operating in the vicinity of the Coastal MOA. A VHF-radio frequency has been established to allow pilots to obtain updated information from the military on current activities in the associated airspace. When the airspace is not in use an automated recording will broadcast the next time the airspace will be used. The Coast MOA will have no significant impact upon airspace under Savannah Approach Control jurisdiction.

Georgia’s Townsend Training Range is one of fifteen Air National Guard training ranges in the U.S. used to train military aviators in critical war fighting skills.

An Environmental Impact study of the proposed change was accomplished in November 1995 and a summary report issued in September 2002.

Questions concerning the proposal Coastal MOA modifications should be directed to the Air National Guard MOA project office at 1-800-229-2839.

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