JBER extends live-fire training, noise advisory to Friday

http://www.adn.com/2014/02/04/3306965/jber-extends-live-fire-training.html

JBER extends live-fire training, noise advisory to Friday
By TEGAN HANLON
February 4, 2014 Updated 11 hours ago

U.S. Army Alaska officials have extended live-fire training at Joint Base Elmendor-Richardson through Friday and are warning residents on and off base that they may continue to hear small arms fire and loud explosions.

Since Jan. 28, soldiers have conducted a field training exercise based on real-life scenarios in preparation for a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation in April at Fort Polk, La., said John Pennell, U.S. Army Alaska spokesman.

Officials had planned for the exercise to wrap up by Wednesday, but recently identified the need for additional live-fire ranges, said a statement issued by the Army Tuesday.

Pennell said the Army has fielded a number of calls from unhappy Alaskans about the around-the-clock explosions. "I know they're not exactly thrilled with it, but I think for the most part they understand that we have a mission that we have to accomplish," he said.