A helicopter activity near the former St. Luke Hospital (Photo – Screenshot from video by Rick Cole)
A U.S. military training exercise involving helicopters, controlled explosions, and simulated weapons fire took place overnight in northeast Pasadena, drawing concern from residents and criticism from a city councilmember over how the public was notified.
By News Desk
The City of Pasadena announced Wednesday evening that the exercise would continue until 1:00 am and could include limited helicopter activity, controlled explosions, and simulated weapons fire. Pasadena police officers assisted with pedestrian and vehicle safety in the immediate area. The training ultimately ran later than initially stated, with activity continuing and concluding around 1:45 am.
According to Pasadena City Councilmember Rick Cole, some helicopter operations and explosion drills could be repeated around midnight as part of the overnight training.
The city said the event is not open to the public or media and advised residents with concerns to call (626) 744-4241.
The training was conducted in an area that includes the former St. Luke Hospital property. The facility opened in 1933 under the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Orange, was sold in 1985 and renamed St. Luke Medical Center, and has remained closed since 2002.
The announcement prompted immediate questions from residents, many of whom sought information about the source of the helicopter activity and explosions and why notice was provided only hours before the exercise began.
One resident responding to our article on social media expressed frustration as the operation continued into the early morning hours, writing, “It’s past 2 a.m. and the helicopters are still coming and going. So inappropriate and intrusive and disruptive in a residential area.”
Cole sharply criticized the notification process in a social media post, saying city officials learned of the operation the same day it was scheduled and were instructed not to release information until 5:30 pm.
“I am outraged by this,” Cole wrote. “The city was informed today and was told to not release information until 5:30 pm. That is absurd and ridiculous, and typical of the current administration’s contempt for citizens of this country.”
The military has not publicly released additional details about the purpose of the exercise or the units involved.
The overnight operation concluded around 1:45 am, later than the city’s announced end time of 1:00 am. Residents across northeast Pasadena continued seeking more information about the training activity and the circumstances surrounding the late public notice.
[This article has been updated to reflect that the military training exercise concluded at approximately 1:45 am. June 4, 2026]
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