People living near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson may hear some small arms fire, explosions and dozens of aircraft beginning Wednesday and continuing through Friday. The U.S. Army Alaska said it will be conducting a massive airborne operation at its Malamute Drop Zone near Arctic Valley.
The training kicks off Wednesday, when the Army said more than 400 paratroopers from the 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division will jump to "validate the brigade's abilities to operate in unimproved, austere environments …"
JBER public information officials said residents living in the area -- in East Anchorage and in Eagle River and Chugiak -- may hear artillery explosions from 105 mm howitzers, small arms fire and supporting drop aircraft.
Aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Altus Air Force Base will also be participating in the training.