Navy conducting practice on Wallops Island

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. (AP) - The Navy is conducting a field carrier landing practice demonstration at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Officials say the demonstration using E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound aircraft is taking place this week in response to a request from Accomack County officials.

In September, the Navy released a draft environmental assessment to evaluate the potential environmental effects that could result from the Navy's proposal to conduct regular, scheduled operations at either Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport or the Wallops Flight Facility.

Under that proposal, the aircraft would conduct up to 20,000 passes annually at the selected field. Officials say the twin-engine, turboprop aircraft are quieter than jet aircraft.

The Navy expects to complete the environmental assessment in January and announce a decision shortly thereafter.