Chapter 25. Military Operations Areas

Section 1. General

25-1-1. DEFINITION

A military operations area (MOA) is airspace established outside of Class A airspace to separate or segregate ­certain non-hazardous military flight activities from IFR aircraft and to identify for VFR aircraft where these ­activities are conducted.______

25-1-2. PURPOSE

MOAs are established to contain nonhazardous, military flight activities including, but not limited to, air combat ­maneuvers, air intercepts, low altitude tactics, etc.

25-1-3. IDENTIFICATION

Identify a MOA by a name followed by the acronym MOA and the two-letter state abbreviation (e.g., Dome ­MOA, AZ). MOA subdivisions may be identified by a suffix consisting of a number, letter, cardinal point, the ­terms “High" or “Low,” or a combination (e.g., Moody 3; Gamecock B; Tiger North; Smoky High; Coastal 1 ­East). Either the proponent or the Service Center OSG selects MOA names.

25-1-4. MOA FLOOR

MOAs may extend below 1,200 feet AGL if a mission requirement exists and there is minimal adverse ­aeronautical effect. Provisions must be made to enable aerial access to private and public use land beneath the ­area, and for terminal VFR and IFR flight operations. Provisions must also be made to accommodate instrument ­arrivals/departures at affected airports with minimum delay. The MOA must exclude the airspace 1,500 feet AGL ­and below within a 3 NM radius of airports available for public use. This exclusion may be increased if necessary ­based on unique circumstances. If the MOA floor extends below 1,200 feet AGL over a charted private airport, ­coordination should be effected with the airport operator to accommodate airport operations.

25-1-5. LOCATION

MOAs should be located to create minimum adverse impact on nonparticipating aircraft operations. MOAs must ­not be established offshore beyond the United States 12 NM territorial limit. To the extent possible, locate ­MOAs:

  1. Within 100 miles of the user's base of flight origin.
  2. Outside terminal area airspace, ATS Routes, charted terminal VFR routes, and uncharted known high ­volume VFR routes.
  3. Within radar and communications coverage of an ATC facility or MRU.

25-1-6. JOINT USE

  1. In effect, MOAs are always joint use in that VFR aircraft are not denied access, and IFR aircraft may be ­routed through the airspace, by agreement between controlling and using agencies, when approved separation ­can be provided from the MOA activity.
  2. Procedures for access to the airspace by nonparticipating IFR traffic must be specified in a letter of ­agreement between the controlling and using agencies.

25-1-7. TEMPORARY MOAs

  1. Temporary MOAs are established to accommodate the military's need for additional airspace to ­periodically conduct short-term exercises that supplement routine training. When existing airspace is inadequate ­to accommodate these short-term military exercises, temporary MOAs may be established for a period not to ­exceed 45 days. On a case-by-case basis,the Rules and Regulations Group, AJV-P2, may approve a longer ­period if the proponent provides justification for the increase.
  2. Once a temporary MOA is approved, the military is responsible for publicizing the exercise within 50 miles ­of the affected airspace. The publicity may be accomplished through the public media, pilot forums, distribution ­of information bulletins to known aviation interests, etc. Additionally, the FAA will publish a graphic notice into ­the Federal NOTAM System (FNS) External Links on the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website early ­enough to provide public 28 days notification prior to the exercise start date in accordance with paragraph ­21-1-15, Charting and Publication Requirements.
  3. Pointer NOTAMs should be issued in accordance with FAA Order 7930.2.
  4. When it is determined that the need for a temporary MOA supporting multiple short-term military ­exercises will occur on a regular and continuing basis each calendar year, the airspace should be considered for ­establishment as a permanent MOA with provisions for activation by NOTAM. Anticipated usage, supporting ­the short-term military exercises, must be included in the legal description times of use.

25-1-8. MOAs IN CLASS G AIRSPACE

MOAs may be established in Class G airspace. Using agencies and participating pilots operating in such MOAs ­should be aware that nonparticipating aircraft may legally operate IFR or VFR without an ATC clearance in this ­airspace. Pilots of nonparticipating aircraft may operate VFR in Class G airspace in conditions as low as 1 statute ­mile flight visibility and clear of clouds (see 14 CFR, § 91.155 for complete Class G airspace VFR minima). ­Any special procedures regarding operations within MOAs that encompass Class G airspace should be included ­in a letter of agreement between the controlling and using agencies.