It appears that the mysterious stealth helicopters spotted buzzing over Echo Park and downtown at night are part of a joint training exercise between the military and the LAPD. One reader, named Echo Park Gal, spotted this information on the LAPD blog:
The operations will be routine training exercises conducted by military personnel, designed to ensure the military’s ability to operate in urban environments, prepare forces for upcoming overseas deployments and meet mandatory training certification requirements.
Training sites have been carefully selected so that activities do not interfere with the daily routines of the local populace. Safety precautions have also been taken to prevent risk to the general public, as well as to military personnel involved. The training is not open to the public.”
LAPD SWAT officer Steve Scallon, however, disputes reports by numerous residents that the helicopters are flying in the dark without lights. While the choppers may not be using their spotlights, the other lights are on, said Scallon. “It’s just regular training,” he said.
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* Stealth choppers don’t take good photos. The Eastsider
Photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr
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