Secret military operations over the Pacific have caused LAX to divert flights. Airport officials claim that the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) has closed the Pacific Ocean west of the Los Angeles airport for a week. The closure comes as the military says it will be using the area for “special operations.” Therefore, airport officials say that residents near LAX may notice increased noise over the city as flight paths are updated to exclude a Pacific Ocean path.

ABC 7 reports that LAX was told by the FAA that the Pacific Ocean west of the airport was closed for commercial flights for the next week. The report indicates that special military operations will be taking place over the ocean which require the removal of all flights from the area. As a result of the injunction, LAX public relations says residents east of the airport will notice increased noise at night.

“We clearly understand that neighbors and communities east of the airport will experience noise and we apologize for that.”

According to the Daily Mail, LAX typically moves to “Over-Ocean Operations” from midnight to 6:30 a.m. in a bid to keep the area as quiet as possible for surrounding residents. However, for the next week, the airport will be forced to make over-resident landings in the late-night hours, as the military will be performing secret operations over the Pacific Ocean.

Flight Aware shows the change in flight pattern as the FAA closes the ocean west of LAX for commercial traffic due to a secret military operation. (Image via Flight Aware)

Airport officials say that they do not know what the military will be doing in the area over the ocean, only that they were told by the FAA that commercial flights could not be in the area. The spokesperson for the airport says that all they know is that airplanes cannot be flying at low altitudes over the next week to the west of LAX.

Though the military is not releasing information regarding the operations that will be taking place in the Pacific over the next week, it is noted that if it is a training procedure it won’t be the first time Los Angeles was a target. Military helicopters have been videoed numerous times weaving through buildings in downtown Los Angeles. The LAPD claims that the maneuvers were part of a special ops urban warfare drill.

Another video shows numerous military helicopters landing at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The first report of the military drills in Los Angeles was six years ago in which military helicopters came so close to buildings that people inside of the buildings were able to see armed soldiers in camouflage outside their window. During that time, the military claimed that the operation was a training procedure that was in preparation of an overseas mission, no more details were provided.

Though residents may be leery about what the military is doing over the ocean so close to home, many residents seem to think the secret operation is a good thing. One resident of Inglewood, Steve Devosion, says he feels safer knowing the operation is taking place, noting that he would question the military more if they weren’t doing anything.

“And plus if it’s a military thing it’s a good thing, 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.”

What do you think about the military’s secret operations over the Pacific Ocean and the closing of flights over the area west of LAX?

[Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images]