Military Training Exercises Cause Noise in California Cities

The U.S. military is conducting training exercises in Long Beach and the City of Industry. City officials have warned residents about potential noise from helicopters, controlled explosions, and simulated weapons fire on Thursday night.

Residents in the eastern part of Long Beach might hear these sounds until 2 a.m., with police present to ensure safety. Similar noises are expected to persist in Long Beach until 1 a.m. For operational safety, details about the training, including its location and precise timing, remain undisclosed. The event is not open to the public or media, as emphasized in a statement from the city of Long Beach.

This announcement follows earlier warnings issued by Irvine and Pasadena, where such exercises also took place. Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian noted that these exercises are standard military drills conducted nationwide. However, Pasadena officials sought to prevent public alarm, especially during election week, by disseminating messages across various platforms like social media, Nixle, and reverse 911.

The activity in Pasadena occurred at the old St. Luke Hospital building, situated near Altadena Drive and Washington Boulevard. A source familiar with the operation mentioned this location under the condition of anonymity. Despite official warnings, some residents in Pasadena and Irvine expressed concerns over the noise and the confidentiality surrounding the exercises.