Below is the KABC Report on these Army Helicopters that caused a massive panic in downtown Los Angeles. Personally I believe this is far more of a normalization psychological operation than a training exercise. What right do these people have endangering the public with unnecessary operations over a populated area?
LOS ANGELES (KABC) --
Army helicopters landing on Wilshire Boulevard and other military activities are turning parts of Los Angeles into scenes from a war movie this week.The military is conducting training exercises, but they have caught many locals by surprise.
When a helicopter flew low in between buildings in downtown Los Angeles, it raised a few alarms.
"We don't think it was much higher than the steeple of the church across the street," said Erica Gallo of Lincoln Heights. "They were low - low enough where you could see inside."Gallo and Leslie Ruiz were in nearby Lincoln Heights. They saw the helicopters and say they were loud.
"Four smaller helicopters in the front but the lights are all turned off and there was only red lights in each one of them and then another military helicopter came in - it was much bigger," Ruiz said.
According to the LAPD it's all part of a U.S. Army training exercise to teach soldiers skills and how to operate in an urban environment.
The department said residents could hear sounds of aircraft and weapon simulations.
Officials say the local terrain in Los Angeles provides the Army with unique locations and urban environments that service members may encounter when deployed overseas.
Some people feel they should have been warned about this.
"I do think it would be nice to get a heads up you know?" Gallo said. "Nowadays you just never know what's happening and we're talking about it - everybody has a fear especially after 9/11 happened. When you see helicopters or airplanes that are flying too low."
A statement by the LAPD said in part "This training is coordinated with the appropriate state, county, and city officials as well as private property owners. Safety precautions have been implemented to prevent unnecessary risk to both participants and/or area residents and property."
Nothing to cap off your average workday in Los Angeles like having Army helicopters flying low through the streets, am I right?
Helicopters flying crazy low in DTLA! #military pic.twitter.com/Cvi6EO83mp— Mario Mercado (@mmercad4) February 5, 2019
The Los Angeles Police Department announced the training exercises on Monday night, and said they would continue through February 9th.
"The purpose of the training is to enhance soldier skills by operating in various urban environments and settings," LAPD said in a statement, per NBC News' Andrew Blankstein. "Residents may hear sounds associated with the training, including aircraft and weapon simulations. Citizens in close proximity to the areas where the training will take place will be notified prior to the training,"
Would I at first be nervous if I saw this happening? Absolutely. Do I think it's pretty badass, now that I'm in the loop? Again — absolutely. The folks seemed to have a similar reaction; some were less than pleased.
Videos uploaded onto social media showed black helicopters flying low between buildings in downtown LA.
Other footage showed Black Hawks and Little Birds landing on buildings before releasing armed forces.
Erica Gallo of Lincoln Heights told ABC: “We don't think it was much higher than the steeple of the church across the street.
“They were low - low enough where you could see inside. I do think it would be nice to get a heads up you know?
“Nowadays you just never know what's happening and we're talking about it.
"Everybody has a fear especially after 9/11 happened when you see helicopters or airplanes that are flying too low.”
Leslie Ruiz added: “Four smaller helicopters in the front but the lights are all turned off and there was only red lights in each one of them and then another military helicopter came in - it was much bigger.”
