Military Responds To Noise Complaints
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Aug 3, 2012 at 10:50 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Aug 3, 2012
"Our training that we're doing here is similar to the training that we would do across the country."
U.S Army Col. Turner says the second battalion, Iron Knights soldiers, have been in Laredo for three weeks to prepare for a much longer mission.
"My job right now is to train this unit to deploy to combat."
The Iron Knights soldiers will be headed to Afghanistan for a year once they complete their training in the gateway city. Contrary to speculation, Col. Turner says that's the only reason why they are here.
With the increased amount of military aircraft...many people have complained about the noise. but the military says they do have a way to alleviate that.
"We take each of those complaints very seriously. What we've done is actually adjusted our flight corridors in and out of the airfield."
He goes on to say they don't want to bother the residents of Laredo while here and says they will gladly re-address their flight plan if there are still complaints. But one person who was on the make shift base is outraged with the complaints.
"For us to be complaining about helicopters that have only been here three weeks is insane."
District 7 City Councilman, Jorge Vera who served in the army says instead of complaining, we need to support their efforts.
"It upsets me a little that we cannot be uncomfortable for one moment while these guys are going to be out for a year in blazing heat...in sand and we can't take a little noise."
Vera goes on to say he would gladly welcome any other military battalions that want to train in Laredo.
"I'm gonna tell you what Laredo, this is the price of freedom."
