Nighttime military training startles Pasadena residents

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- A late-night military training exercise in Pasadena startled residents as helicopters flew overhead and landed at a long-closed medical facility.

The exercise began around 8:30 p.m.Wednesday, with helicopters landing on the former St. Luke’s Medical Center building, which has been closed for more than 20 years. Residents said the noise continued into the early morning hours.

Many residents reported being awakened or having trouble going back to sleep after hearing the activity, which included what officials described as simulated gunfire using fake ammunition. Some residents said the scene felt alarming, with one describing it as an invasion.

Pasadena City Councilman Rick Cole raised concerns about the timing and lack of communications.

“I think it’s outrageous to have this kind of a military exercise in the middle of the night with no advanced warning to the residents. And residents of course are flooding 911, calling me, calling others to figure out what it going on,” Cole said.

The city said it had posted notice of the exercise on social media, including on its Instagram account, but clearly many residents were unaware of the warning.