Heads Up - Southern Indiana Milcom

[KD4YGG]

Release #-3-09

Sept. 18, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Noise Advisory - Marine Corps Aircraft Using Landing Zones In Civilian Areas of Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines from the Camp Lejeune-based 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be using pre-designated landing zones in civilian areas throughout southern Indiana and northern Kentucky from Sept. 24 - Sept. 29. Local residents can expect to see, and hear, helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft at various times throughout the day and night.

Specific areas this activity will affect include:

Hoosier National Forest, Ind.
Brown County State Park, Ind.
Columbus, Ind.
Seymour, Ind.
Nashville, Ind.
Tell City, Ind.
Louisville, Ky.
Frankfort, Ky.

Aircraft that might be noticed in any of these areas include:

MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft
CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter
UH-1 Huey helicopter
AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter

Locals are encouraged to view from a safe distance but are asked not to interfere with the training. For safety reasons do not approach any aircraft or Marines.

All areas used for training have been approved by local land and business owners, as well as local and state officials. All areas designated as landing zones have been surveyed by the Marine Corps and civilian safety officials months before training was approved.

In some cases, locals may notice aircraft landing in close proximity to civilian buildings and infrastructure.

The 24th MEU is slated to be the landing force for the Norfolk-based Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, and will be deployed early next year on three amphibious assault ships – USS Nassau, USS Mesa Verde and USS Ashland.

Since 1985, the three Camp Lejeune-based MEUs have used numerous cities throughout the mid-western and southeastern United States to simulate as realistically as possible the kinds of hotspots to which MEUs are often called in a crisis. In 2008, the 24th MEU conducted its RUT exercise at Ft. Pickett, Va., and in the surrounding communities.

The 24th MEU is composed of its command element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, VMM 162 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

The Marines kicked off their pre-deployment training program in June, and before completing RUT, they will have completed a host of specialized combat courses, field training exercises and at-sea drills aboard the ships they will be living on for at least seven months next year.

If there are concerns, or if damage is done to civilian property, locals can contact the 24th MEU hotline - 1-877-676-0396.
-USMC-
For more information about the 24th MEU, visit the unit's Web site athttp://www.marines.mil/unit/24thmeu.

If media needs video or photos please feel free to pull our products from -

- http://www.dvidshub.net/units/24meu

- Flickr: 24th MEU