Expect more helicopters, convoys, loud booms during Fort Campbell training exercise

FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Expect to see more helicopters and convoys – and hear more loud booms – over the coming weeks as the 101st Airborne Division conducts Operation Lethal Eagle, a division-wide training exercise, April 10-30.

“This pre-planned training event will build soldier and unit lethality within the world’s premier air assault division and include air assault operations; small unit maneuvers; and live fire exercises with small arms, artillery, and military aircraft,” according to a news release.

Military vehicles will convoy along public roadways between Fort Campbell and Fort Knox during daylight hours throughout the exercise, which may temporarily disrupt car movement, the release said. This includes military on Interstate 24 from Fort Campbell, Exit 86 to Exit 81.

Over the course of the exercise, the Palmyra, 101st Airborne, and Lafayette Gates will be closed, and access to Fort Campbell through Angels and Mabry gates will be restricted to authorized personnel. All personally owned vehicle traffic without pre-authorization will need to access the installation through Gates 7 and 10, the release said.

“We’re alerting the public to reduce delays in travel time and remind motorists to use extra caution when driving near military vehicles,” said Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler, spokesman for the 101st. “Our priority is safety, and we encourage the public to plan accordingly and plan for extra travel time.”