Marines slate January training exercise for Clay County

If Clay County residents see a little more military presence in the Green Cove Springs area later this month, there’s a good reason.

The United States Marine Corps’ 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will have a Composite Training Unit Exercise in the Green Cove area from Jan. 20 to 23.

This training exercise is a normal pre-deployment activity performed by each US Navy Carrier Strike Group, along with embarked Marines and battle group aircraft.

The expectation is that the event will have minimal impact on residents.

As well, organizers have planned for 911 calls, related to helicopter activity especially.

They have provided the following script to 911 operators.

“Marines and Sailors of the Expeditionary Operations Training Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., are conducting COMPTU Exercise at the Avon Park and Green Cove Spings, FL, from January 20-23, 2017.

“The training is essential to the MEU’s preparation for its deployment next year.  It has been coordinated through federal, state, county and city agencies and officials, including the FBI, the FAA and local police departments.”