Military Drills Rattle Pasadena Residents

Residents in a quiet Pasadena, California neighborhood were disturbed by a late-night U.S. military urban warfare drill conducted at the former Saint Luke's Medical Center. The exercise involved simulated gunfire, flashbang grenades, and helicopters dropping soldiers, causing significant noise and disruptions. Local officials and residents reported that the disturbances extended beyond the initially announced 1 a.m. timeframe.

Pasadena Councilman Rick Cole documented the training continuing past 2 a.m., noting loud explosions and simulated weapons fire. He expressed concern for residents whose sleep was interrupted by the intense military activity, which occurred directly across from their homes. Neighbors voiced frustration over the short notice provided by authorities, which they felt did not adequately convey the magnitude of the noise and disruption.

Separately, a similar, more controlled military training exercise took place in Orange County. Irvine authorities had announced this event, warning of potential helicopter activity but assuring the public that no other training would be visible. This exercise concluded without the community backlash experienced in Pasadena.