With no warning, low-flying military choppers buzz St. Paul, Minneapolis! - [VIDEO]

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With no warning, low-flying copters buzz St. Paul, Minneapolis
By Tad Vezner
[email protected]
POSTED: 08/18/2014 12:01:00 AM CDT | UPDATED: ABOUT 13 HOURS AGO

With no warning for residents, military helicopters flew low Monday evening over St. Paul and Minneapolis in a federal training exercise, about which officials released almost no information.
The exercise -- reportedly involving U.S. Navy Seals with Army pilots, engaging in rappelling exercises in an urban setting -- began just before 8 p.m. and was scheduled to last until midnight.
The St. Paul police watch commander initially had no information on the exercise. He was later informed that it was a training exercise involving Homeland Security and local law enforcement.
St. Paul police officials said the City of Minneapolis was handling all media calls, because that's where the exercises originated. A written statement released within 15 minutes of the exercise said little, stating only that "there will be some night training going on, which includes military helicopters."
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder, whose number was on the release, refused to answer additional questions about the exercise, repeating, over and over, "It's a training exercise."
"It's a training exercise. I've been practicing that line all week," he said, when asked if local police were involved in the exercise.
Many downtown residents said they were shocked and afraid at the sudden sight of military helicopters flying so near to their buildings.
Lynda Hanner, who lives on the 27th floor of City Walk Condominiums at 66 E. Ninth St., was surpised to see a helicopter flying just outside her window.
"At first I thought he was in distress -- in the process of crashing," Hanner said. "It was very frightening. They were playing dangerous games in my back yard, and I didn't appreciate it."
"Downtown St. Paul is not a training ground, there are about 7,000 of us who live here," added neighbor Karl Karlson.

50% ----


more at [link to www.startribune.com]

just like Miami etc



Last Edited by CYBERDELIK on 08/19/2014 10:55 AM