MEXICO – The U.S. Air Force has plenty of opportunities to practice low-altitude interceptions over the water, but not over land.

That’s a major reason why the Air National Guard wants the minimum altitude for training flights to be reduced from the current range of 2,800 to 6,300 feet above the ground, to 500 feet over roughly a 40- by 60-mile chunk of Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties. In the existing two-flight corridors, jets often already fly at 500, 1,000 or 1,500 feet. The military wants the lower flight levels over that entire section of Western Maine rather than only in specific corridors.

Harry Knudsen, chief of planning for the Air National Guard from Andrews Air Force base in Maryland, along with two pilots who often fly over Western Maine, explained the reason for the request and fielded questions from about 50 people who turned out for the second of three public informational meetings Wednesday night at Mountain Valley Middle School. The hearings are required for the environmental assessment and must be held prior to the proposal going before the Federal Aviation Administration for action.

Of those who spoke, about half approved of the change. Others believe it could ruin the region’s rural atmosphere and tourist industry.

Seabury Lyon of Bethel retired to Western Maine because of the quality of life.

“The only thing we have is tourism,” he said.

Others were concerned that small aircraft may be in jeopardy with jets flying so low.

“I’ll be a target,” said Byron resident Steve Duguay, one of several who expressed concern for those who fly light aircraft or powered parachutes.

Capt. Jeff Beckel said the jets would see small aircraft in plenty of time to avoid an accident.

Richard Grover, a Mason Township resident who is a veteran said he flew 100 combat missions.

“B-52s have been flying across the Western Maine routes since the 1950s. They aren’t hot dogging. The next Mohammad Atta may start in Quebec,” he said to applause.

Some, including Len Greaney of Rumford, asked that the Air National Guard look into alternative locations for low-level flight training.

Officials agreed, although Beckel said the Western Mountains is at the limits the F15 and F16 jets can fly before having to return to Massachusetts or Vermont for refueling.

Clayton Weeks, a Mexico resident, said his son served in Desert Storm and his grandson is serving in Iraq.

“As long as you fly over my house, I’m a free man,” he said.

Knudsen said the earliest the FAA could approve the proposal is next March. He said the public comment period has been extended to July to allow summer residents to have a say.

A third public informational hearing will be held on May 3 in Rangeley at a place to be determined.

Maj. Michael Backus, public affairs officer for the Maine National Guard, said other hearings also could be set.