The 101st Airborne released the following information earlier this week.

Beginning on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 13 and concluding on Sunday, August 18, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will conduct a major training events in Minden and Alexandria. Residents living in and around the below areas may hear, see and experience increased aircraft traffic and noise during this time.

This exercise is designed to assess the division’s ability to conduct large-scale, long-range air assault operations in conjunction with training scenarios that will test their communication, logistical resupply and tactical abilities. All military training will take place on military installations or local airfields, but residents may see or hear an increased helicopter presence.

Combat Aviation Brigade and supporting sustainment elements will establish various Forward Arming and Refueling Points for aircraft flying between Fort Campbell, KY, and Fort Johnson, LA. Military helicopters will be refueled and resupplied at these FARPs before returning to Fort Campbell.

“We’re alerting the public to prepare nearby communities of an increase in noise as a result of
rotary wing aircraft conducting training flights over the course of the next few days,” said Lt.
Col. Martin Meiners, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “Our priority is
the safety of our Soldiers and families, as well as those of the nearby communities. We hope
this notification will allow the affected communities to plan ahead in anticipation of this increase in military air traffic, and we are grateful for the support from local leaders and the Mississippi and Louisiana National Guard.”

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is a part of the Army’s effort to pioneer the evolution
of vertical envelopment with modern equipment and well-trained soldiers, and to prepare the
nation to win in any future military combat environment or conflict.