Texas National Guard to train at Fort Polk

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Jun 6, 2008 - Page: 14A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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FORT POLK — More than 3,000 soldiers of the 56th Brigade Combat Team, Texas Army National Guard, will train June 12-23 at the Joint Readiness Training Center .

Aircraft traffic will be significantly increased in DeRidder, Leesville, and Oakdale through June 18 while the Air Force supports the ongoing training.

The JRTC trains soldiers for deployment in support of the war on terrorism through exposure to a number of intense combat scenario events set in a realistic environment.

The 56th will be challenged by the !st Battalion, 509th Infantry Airborne, the opposing force, and select members of the 1195th Transportation Company, Nebraska Army National Guard.

Area residents should expect military traffic on La. 28 to and from Alexandria to increase, as well as helicopter flights.

Additionally, communities in and around Peason Ridge and North Fort Polk may notice increased traffic.

On June 12-14 the Air Force will drop live munitions.

Any issues concerning noise or training may be directed to the Fort Polk complaint line at (337) 531-1431.