Military helicopters and fixed wing aircraft of assorted shapes and sizes will be common sights at Los Alamitos Army Airfield (LAAAF) during the month of April.
The month-long increase in operations at the airfield will be highlighted by the Operation Patriot Hook 2016 civil support exercise from April 20 to 25.
The majority of air operations will be conducted during normal airfield operating hours, but residents of communities located near Joint Forces Training Base and LAAAF may periodically hear the sound of aircraft arriving and departing during evening hours.
Currently, LAAAF is serving as the staging location for a number of U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters being prepared for shipment to Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii — operations that will continue for several more weeks.
Local residents looking toward the sky at several times throughout the month may notice military personnel parachuting from helicopters and floating over the city as they aim for their drop zone adjacent to the airfield.
Operation Patriot Hook will feature large U.S. Air Force Reserve C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft delivering and loading first responder agencies, their vehicles and cargo as they train to enhance teamwork, mobility and capabilities to deliver civil support to communities quickly and efficiently should disaster strike the region.
As always, Joint Forces Training Base will do its best to minimize inconvenience to its neighbors during these exercises and expanded air operations.
For additional information, please contact Col. (CA) Richard Lalor at 562-795-2096 (office), 626-733-1170 (mobile) or via email at Richard.w.lalor2.vol@mail.mil.