KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AP) – Federal, state and tribal officials have reached a landmark agreement that will pave the way for Native American communities around New Mexico to seek temporary military flight restrictions over their lands.

Officials gathered Thursday at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque to sign the memorandum of understanding.

Two years in the making, the agreement allows for the state’s 19 pueblos to coordinate with the military and request short-term flight restrictions to avoid disruption of sacred ceremonies, fiesta days or other significant events.

The requests will be filtered through the state Department of Indian Affairs to the appropriate military installations.

State officials say the agreement is meant to boost communication between the tribes, the state and the federal government. It also will serve a means for resolving complaints stemming from flyovers.