Special Operations Training At JBLM May Involve Live Fire, Low-Flying Aircraft

LAKEWOOD, WA - If you live near or are traveling in the vicinity of Joint Base Lewis-McChord this week, you might hear some alarming noises. Soldiers from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command will be conducting readiness training at the base. So, you might hear gunfire and see low-flying aircraft through Saturday.

Here's what the base is saying about the training:

Soldiers from an element of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, will be conducting a routine military readiness exercise Thursday through Saturday. This type of exercise is used periodically to maintain a high level of combat readiness.

This 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 training conducted regularly gives the Soldiers a decisive edge for real-world missions. Training such as this is the best method to test their readiness capabilities.

Soldiers will use training ammunition and other training devices to make the exercise as real as possible. There will be periods of increased air traffic to include low-flying helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft (CV-22 Osprey) and fixed-wing airplanes during hours of darkness.This training exercise was coordinated with Joint Base Lewis-McChord and local officials. The training is closed to the public and the media.

The participating units are extremely sensitive to the impact that such military exercises have on local citizens and we intend to train safely and courteously. Every measure will be taken to reduce the amount of noise associated with this training.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command would like to thank Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the neighboring communities for their support during the exercise and their understanding of any inconveniences this training may cause.

Residents or media seeking additional information may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office: 910-432-6005.

Image via U.S. Department of Defense