Secret Military Operations Force Flight Diversions Out of Los Angeles

Airspace over the Pacific is closed to late-night Los Angeles International Airport flights for the next week, due to secret military operations. These maneuvers will mean more noise for residents beneath its alternate flight path.

In order to reduce noise, flights typically begin flying from the West and over the ocean. This week they will land from the east over Inglewood.

“We clearly understand that neighbors and communities east of the airport will experience noise and we apologize for that,” said LAX Public Relations Director Nancy Castles.

The military won’t reveal the nature of its operations and Castles says all she knows is that planes can’t be flying at low altitudes west of LAX.

“If it’s a military thing, it’s a good thing,” said Steve Devosin of Inglewood. “That means they’re making it safer for us, so I wouldn’t let it bother me. I’d be more interested in them not doing something about what’s going on than them doing something about what’s going on.”

Six years ago, ABC affiliate KABC captured military helicopters flying so close between high-rises in downtown LA that residents reported seeing camouflaged soldiers onboard. The military announced that particular operation was conducted to prepare soldiers for urban combat and upcoming overseas deployment.