War games break out over Richmond region

-- No, war hasn't broken out over the Richmond region. But war games have.

About 2,200 Marines from the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit today are starting more than two weeks of urban warfare training in the Richmond area.

Using Fort Pickett near Blackstone as a base for their operations, the Marines will conduct a so-called realistic urban training exercise until Jan. 24.

Some of the training will be conducted in populated areas off the base, involving about 80-100 Marines and lasting about two hours. Residents who live near the locations of the off-base training will be alerted before the events.

The Marines said residents may see or hear helicopters flying in the area today as pilots familiarize themselves with the area. Tomorrow, the pilots will practice landing in designated landing zones throughout the region.

Localities in the Richmond region that may see aircraft overhead or landing in designated landing zones include, but are not limited to: Bremo, Buena Vista, Burkeville, Fork Union, Lawrenceville, Lexington and McKenney and the counties of Brunswick, Fluvanna, Henrico, Nottoway and Rockbridge.

The use of airspace has been coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration, and the use of landing zones has been coordinated with city and county officials and police departments.

The Marines have set up a toll-free information hotline to provide a way for area residents to get information about the training exercise. Callers should dial (888) 483-2682, select option "2" at the prompt and dial extension 5767.