Pasadena officials are reassuring residents that helicopters and the sound of gunfire heard earlier this week were part of a planned military training exercise and not an emergency. The operation took place Wednesday night and was designed to simulate urban warfare conditions. As part of the exercise, military helicopters flew over the city and landed at the long-vacant Saint Luke’s Medical Research building.
The training also involved the use of simulated gunfire with blank or fake ammunition, creating loud noises that were heard across nearby neighborhoods. The exercise continued into the early morning hours on Thursday.
Pasadena City Councilman Rick Cole said residents should have received more advance notice about the event. He noted that many people were alarmed by the activity, leading to a surge of calls to 9-1-1 as well as numerous calls and messages to his office. City officials say public notice was provided through social media channels before the training exercise began.
