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

The Navy said Wednesday it will proceed with preparing environmental impact statements for five possible sites for the 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 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.

Meantime, this Saturday, Rep. Walter B. Jones will discuss the proposed outlying landing field with Currituck County residents.

Jones will attend a town meeting in Moyock from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Moyock Elementary School at 255 Tulls Creek Road.

One of the two North Carolina sites is on the border of Currituck County and Camden County, in the Hales Lake area.

Laer in the month, the Navy will hold a scoping meeting to take written comments from Currituck County residents and officials regarding the OLF.

The Currituck County  meeting will be held April 28 at the Cooperative Extension Center from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It’s located at 120 Community Way in Barco.

Additionally, the Navy will hold a session in Camden County on May 5 at Camden County High School, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Navy’s planning seven sessions today in North Carolina and Virginia as it continues looking at five proposed sites in those states.

The Navy says all comments resented at the scoping meetings must be delivered in written format.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)