A National Guard spokesman has passed along word that “internal discussions” on the Duke Low MOA are underway, considering mission changes at the Maryland base.

“In light of the recent announcement that Warfield Air National Guard Base was selected as the preferred location to convert to a cyber wing mission, there are ongoing internal discussions regarding the next steps related to the Duke Low MOA EA,” the spokesman said. “While Warfield is currently being considered for a mission conversion, no final decision has been made. When the path forward for the Duke Low MOA is determined, an update will be provided on the 175 WG website.”

The website is https://www.175wg.ang.af.mil/Duke-MOA-Low/

The Duke Low Military Operations Area is the plan for low-flying training for A-10s over the Pennsylvania Wilds and southern New York state by Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing. Congress has approved a plan to begin retiring A-10s next year.

The training zone — with a ground area of 1.4 million acres — would be at altitudes of 100 feet to 7,999 feet, or realistically, between 100 feet and 500 feet, two to three minutes at a time, with two to four aircraft. The flights would be between 10 a.m. and noon, and 2 and 4 p.m., 170 days a year, including Saturdays.

The pilots with the Maryland Guard won’t be the only ones using the Duke Low Military Operations Area — the 177 Fighter Wing New Jersey Air National Guard, the 193rd Special Operations Wing of Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and the 113 Wing District of Columbia Air National Guard would as well. The New Jersey and D.C. units operate F-16Cs. The Pennsylvania unit operates C-130s.

Residents, business owners and legislators within the training area have concerns over the economic impact, outdoor recreation, tourism and more. Residents, business owners and local, state and federal lawmakers have reached out to the Maryland Guard to voice their concerns, with little response.