Northern Minnesota Sheriff Alerts Public To Planned Military Helicopter Activity This Week

The Cass County Sheriff put out a public notice on Wednesday morning that people in the Northern Minnesota county and surrounding areas may be seeing and hearing military helicopter activity later this week.

A group of Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters from the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Minnesota National Guard will be conducting flight exercises from Camp Ripley, between Brainerd and Little Falls, traveling northward to the Walker are for some flight exercises at the end of the week.

These exercises, described as part of the Minnesota National Guard's regularly schedule annual training, will include these helicopters heading to the Walker Municipal Airport, just north of Walker off Highway 371.

The helicopters may also be seen flying around other places in the Walker area during these exercises.

READ MORE: Leech Lake To Host National Fishing Championship For First Time This Summer

The Cass County Sheriff said in a social media post that these exercises are planned for a window between the morning of Thursday, June 4 and the early hours of Friday, June 5.

While some may appreciate the potential show as they fly through the area, the primary reasons for the public notice are to proactively explain why a group of military helicopters are buzzing around the Walker area as well as to alert locals to potential noise, especially the exercise window does include morning hours.

The Cass County Sheriff says any members of the community with questions, comments, or concerns can reach out to the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade's public affairs officer, Capt. Erica Iverson, via email at erica.s.iverson.mil@army.mil.