LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA — If you see military helicopters in the skies over the next week, don’t be alarmed, authorities said.
The Bensalem Township Fire Rescue Department is advising residents that military training and routine operations are taking place in the Philadelphia region.
The Department of Defense (DOD) will conduct training and exercise drills in parts of Philadelphia through Sept. 6.
Authorities said the type of DOD training is conducted numerous times a year in cities throughout the United States.
Officials said that simulated response at real-world locations is necessary and critical to test an agency’s plans, communications, and operations.
The training exercise is not in response to any specific event and exclusively involves interaction between DOD personnel and first-responders, with the overriding goals of preparedness and saving lives in emergency situations when they occur, officials said.
“The training exercises are crucial in preparing Philadelphia to host the world’s 2026 celebrations on its global stage in a safe and appropriate manner,” officials said.