Marines to conduct urban-training exercises in Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa

If you see a helicopter buzzing down the middle of a Phoenix street, or a group of Marines dressed head-to-toe in combat gear, don't be alarmed.

It's nothing crazy like "Minority Report" or "Mission Impossible," it's just Marines practicing before they're deployed.

The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be conducting exercises and drills in Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa over the next four to six days, according to Capt. Daniel Vacchio.

Roughly 100 Marines will make their way to Arizona from Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, on Tuesday and likely will be in the state through the weekend.

"We don't want people who have been living here and working here to be afraid," Vacchio said. "If you see aircraft or Marines, you can safely assume it's us."

Capt. Diann Rosenfeld, communication strategy officer for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, said that the Marines will be in Phoenix to work specifically on a series of exercises and drills called Realistic Urban Training. This group of Marines typically trains in 29 Palms, California, and is using this visit as an opportunity to train in an unfamiliar area before they deploy overseas this summer.

"It's so important for them to add this realistic element to their training," Rosenfeld said.

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'All options are on the table'

The Marines will be staying at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport while in Arizona, she said.

Although residents might see aircraft flying in atypical areas or Marines in full uniform, all the actual training will be done in restricted areas throughout the Valley, hidden from the public.

In fact, the drills are so secret, not even the Marines know what they'll be facing until a few hours beforehand.

"We generally know the subject matter and the capabilities that are expected of us, but the specifics are unknown, and that’s by design," Vacchio said.

"All options are on the table."

Vacchio said that the Marines have worked with local police departments to ensure that the military footprint will be minimal, and that simulated raids will be confined to the restricted areas, out of sight of the general population.

The 13th MEU typically trains in a controlled environment, and this is one of the few opportunities it gets to engage in exercises where troops in the unit aren't familiar with the lay of the land.

Rosenfeld expressed gratitude towards Phoenix and its residents for the opportunity to train in the Valley.

"We appreciate the opportunity to go down to Phoenix and get these Marines real-world training," she said.

Vacchio echoed similar thoughts.

"We’re super-gracious and thankful for the opportunity to be here," he said.

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