Soldiers from an element of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., will conduct a routine military exercise March 26-30 at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton, as well as surrounding communities.
Exercise locations include areas as far away as McNary Lock and Dam near the cities of Umatilla and Hermiston.
This training has been fully coordinated with Pendleton city leaders, airport officials, law enforcement officials, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and all safety personnel.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the exercise is not open to the public or the media.
Soldiers are being tested on their combat skills in a simulated urban environment similar to those they may find during combat missions. This is a routine military exercise, conducted periodically to maintain a high level of combat readiness for the Soldiers.
According to the Corps of Engineers, there will be periods, between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., March 26-27 and March 29-30, of increased air traffic to include low-flying helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft, and fixed wing airplanes. Soldiers will also use simulated munitions and small pyrotechnics, which may cause loud noises.
Military officials said the unit is extremely sensitive to the impact that this exercise may have on communities and that it intends to train safely and courteously. Every measure will be taken to reduce the amount of noise associated with this exercise. As with all military exercises, safety is the first priority. Soldiers will receive up-to-date safety briefings, and safety standards must be observed at all times during the training.
The element is the U.S. Army’s premier special operations raid force that conducts forcible entry operations and special operations raids across the entire spectrum of combat. Soldiers must be ready to deploy worldwide on a moment’s notice. Therefore, tough, realistic military exercises conducted regularly give the Soldiers a decisive edge for real-world missions. Exercises such as this are the best method to test their readiness capabilities, according to the military.
For more information, call 706-604-5114.
Will it be safe to work close to the bombing range at Boardman, OR.
These hours of operation dont seem very courteous, as the article states. This is when most of the community is in bed.
“there will be periods, between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., March 26-27 and March 29-30, of increased air traffic to include low-flying helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft, and fixed wing airplanes. Soldiers will also use simulated munitions and small pyrotechnics, which may cause loud noises.
Military officials said the unit is extremely sensitive to the impact that this exercise may have on communities and that it intends to train safely and courteously.”
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