FARMINGTON -- Civilians questioning plans for Air National Guard flight training over western Maine are ratcheting up their scrutiny.

Last week, representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation, the State Planning Office, and Attorney General's office heard the testimony of several people who opposed the flights.

Retired Air Force Colonel Tom Mauzaka, of Strong, said he has followed closely the Air National Guard's expansion plans for flight training over western Maine and has objected to their request to lower the ceiling to 500 feet above ground.

"I served proudly for 30 years," Mauzaka said. "This is not a question of homeland security, fighting the war on terror or supporting the troops."

Gov. John Baldacci wrote of the flights, "I believe that the Air National Guard has not met its burden of proof, and I am requesting that the public hearing be postponed for six to nine months in order to allow the Air National Guard to conduct a more thorough analysis of the environmental impacts to the state of Maine and, in particular the western mountains region."

The Air National Guard cancelled a public hearing planned for today in Farmington. Lt. Col. Mike Milord, from the National Guard Bureau in Arlington, Va., said the Air National Guard would work in the best interests of western Maine residents but could not predict when a revised study of the proposed flights could be submitted.

"We want to find a balance," he said. "We want the residents of western Maine to be comfortable."

Nancy O'Toole, of Avon, said nothing has changed since an earlier attempt to lower the flight ceiling, in 1993.

"The (Guard) was denied then, but this document doesn't mention that analysis or denial, or tell us what's different," she said.

In a letter, The Office of the Maine Attorney General cited the lack of data on, or communications with, Appalachian Trail groups and the National Park Service.

"The (Environmental Impact Statement) makes no reference to communications or consultation with the Penobscot Nation, which owns more than 60,000 acres in the affected area and is planning some development projects," the letter stated.

"While there is a need to provide our brave men and women of the Armed Forces with the equipment and training necessary ... we must carefully consider the objections raised by local Mainers," U. S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe said in a statement.