Defense Dept. Training in Tinley Rattles Nerves in L-W Communities: Helicopters Overhead

Residents in Tinley Park, Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox were rattled by the sights and sounds of low-flying military helicopters that flew overhead beginning around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. 

Turns out it wasn't an invasion or a response to some catastrophe. It was Day No. 2 of a Defense Department training exercise on the site of the now-closed Tinley Park Mental Health Center, 183rd Street and Harlem Avenue. The communities to the southwest of the 1,000-acre facility got the brunt of the helicopter exercise. Many Frankfort residents heard the explosions as well.

For the reactions to the drill that were circling around social media Wednesday night and early morning hours today in Tinley Park, read these stories from Tinley Park Patch:

• 'Sounds Like Tinley Being Bombed': Residents Speak Up on Warfare Drills
• Defense Dept. to Hold Training Exercises at Closed Mental Health Center

Some residents in New Lenox and Mokena—those in the area around Francis Road  between Townline and Schoolhouse Roads—were particularly unnerved. As the helicopters moved overhead, firefigheters from eight surrounding communities were gathering strength for real. A house fire on Reagan Road in unincorporated New Lenox, brought brought police and numerous fire trucks to the area.

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Combine the helicopters overhead with police and fire department sirens and flashing lights, and it seemed as though the community was in the midst of large scale situation. 

Patch Facebook commenters in Tinley Park, Frankfort, Mokena and New Lenox were both annoyed and curious about the drills.

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