FILE PHOTO - CH-146 Griffon helicopter crews arrive at 5 Wing Goose Bay in preparation for Operation NANOOK on August 14, 2017.
Image Credit: LS Brad Upshall/12 Wing Imaging Services
April 06, 2021 - 10:12 AM
The sound of military helicopters and the rat-a-tat-tat of ammunition being fired may wake up some Kamloops and Vernon residents over the next two weeks as the Canadian military conducts routine training late at night.
The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command will be flying CH-146 Griffon helicopters during training practice close to Vernon and Kamloops starting tomorrow, April 7. The choppers will be operating mainly between 9:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. until Apr. 23.
"Residents in the area may see and hear helicopters performing multiple low-level flights with the potential for increased local noise. Military small arms and training ammunition will be utilized and will be closely controlled in accordance with mandated safety measures," the Canadian Armed Forces said in a media release.
READ MORE: Expect to hear the thrum of Canadian military helicopters in the Okanagan
The Canadian military used the Griffon helicopters, along with other personnel throughout much of March in the South Okanagan, with flights taking off from Penticton Airport.
According to the release, the pandemic has limited Canadian Armed Forces training outside of Canada. As a result of this, some communities may notice increased military training activity and the associated noise.
"The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command is extremely thankful for the support and understanding of the communities within which it conducts valuable training such as this in order to remain operationally focused and able to serve the national interest," the release says.
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