KAILUA-KONA — Military training exercises are underway at Pohakuloa Training Area.
KAILUA-KONA — Military training exercises are underway at Pohakuloa Training Area.
The training is part of normal exercises at the U.S. Army facility in the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. In recent days, some of the training has been more visible, particularly along Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 190) in the vicinity of the entrance to Old Saddle Road.
PTA Public Affairs Officer Eric Hamilton said about 2,700 troops are currently on the ground representing 16 different units, hailing from as far away as Ohio.
Mortar live-fire, helicopter gunnery, artillery live-fire and mounted live-fire training is slated through the end of the month. Next month, helicopter gunnery training is slated July 5-11; mortar live-fire training July 7-Aug. 6; unmanned aerial vehicle operations July 17-31; and artillery live-fire exercises July 31-Aug. 5.
Schedules are vague because of the ever-changing nature of the training exercises, Hamilton said. They’re meant to inform the community about noise so preparations can be made, such as securing animals that might be frightened.