SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — From Oct. 31 to Nov. 9, the 25th Infantry Division will hold a large-scale training exercise on Oahu and Hawaii Island supported by the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 23-01, a regional combat training center rotation aimed at increasing combat readiness in the Pacific Division while engaging with regional allies and partners.


What You Need To Know

  • The 25th Infantry Division will conduct its annual large-scale training exercise on Oahu and Hawaii Island from Oct. 31 to Nov. 9

  • This year will see an increase in fixed-wing aircraft, such as C-130s and C-17s, flying out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Kalaeloa Airport at Barbers Point and Bradshaw Army Air Field on Hawaii Island

  • Oahu freeways and roadways will see military vehicle convoys traveling between training areas with most convoys traveling 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7 p.m.-5 a.m. to minimize traffic issues

  • Residents can call the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Community Concern Hotline at 808-656-3487 or email usag.hawaii.comrei@army.mil with any complaints, comments or concerns

“This is called the ‘Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center’ or JPMRC, the most important training in the 25th Infantry Division we do all year,” stated Major General Joseph Ryan, 25th Infantry Division Commanding General, in a video released by the 25th ID Public Affairs Office. “But it’s bigger than the 25th Infantry Division. It’s joint, so it involves assets from across Oahu and across the Pacific Region. You can see one of those assets right here behind me, a C-17 aircraft out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that landed here at Wheeler this morning, and is going to pick up some of our soldiers and transport them over to Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island and Bradshaw Field.”

Ryan said the multinational exercise will involve partners from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, including observers from allies such as Australia, Japan, Korea and Singapore, who will use the opportunity to “gauge relative value in what they see in this training for the potential for them to train with us in the future.”

Training in the islands is also cost effective, saving up to “tens of millions of dollars a year, and we’re training alongside our allies and our partners in the region so that we’re ready to respond in case something happens out here. Super important. I can’t emphasize that enough,” stated Ryan.

The exercise this year will see an increase in fixed-wing aircraft, such as C-130s and C-17s, flying out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Kalaeloa Airport at Barbers Point, and Bradshaw Army Air Field on Hawaii Island, according to a news release. Wheeler will experience aircraft activity, 5 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily through Nov. 13.

Training will also include blank ammunition and explosive simulators during the day and at night in the following areas: Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island, and Bellows Air Force Station, Dillingham Army Airfield, Kahuku Training Area, Kawailoa Mountain Ranges, Helemano Plantation, and Schofield Barracks East and South Ranges on Oahu.

Oahu freeways and roadways will see military vehicle convoys (more than six vehicles) traveling between training areas with most convoys traveling 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7 p.m.-5 a.m. to minimize traffic issues.

Aerial traffic will include helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems flights. Training dates are subject to change based on weather and unforeseen factors.

Ryan acknowledged the disruption of daily life with nighttime noise, simulated battlefield noise on both islands, along with live fire training and “force-on-force” training near populated areas. There will also be noise from large fixed-wing aircraft coming and going at Wheeler Army Airfield, which normally does not happen.

He urged residents to contact the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii with complaints or comments if they experience any issues with noise, traffic or other situations.

“We want to hear them because this isn’t the last time we’re going to do this,” said Ryan. “This is an annual event, and it’s only going to get bigger and better from here. So help us get better at it now so that in future iterations we can make it less disruptive, more convenient for everybody while still getting the training value out of it that we want to get.”

Residents can call the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Community Concern Hotline at 808-656-3487 or email usag.hawaii.comrei@army.mil with any concerns. The office will respond to all reported concerns during regular business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The 25th Infantry Division will push frequent traffic and training noise advisory information on its Facebook page and Instagram account.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.