After five years of strategic planning and listening to public opinion, the U.S. Navy is ready to move into the final stages of expanding training activities along the Silver Strand, said U.S. Pacific Fleet Project Manager Alex Stone.
The Navy has proposed an increase in training activities annually from 3,926 to 5,343. There would also be a spike in firearm discharges and helicopter sorties.
To give your opinion on an increase in military exercises, . Deadline is Feb. 13.
“The increase in training would kind of occur gradually over time,” Stone said. “It’s not like all of a sudden we’re going to have a huge jump (in training). It’s kind of long term, so it’s not immediate.”
Stone said the increase in activities will be similar to exercises currently conducted in the area.
Training activities will include amphibious training, which is when training starts at sea and ends on land with landing crafts. Navy Seals will also get to participate in training for special warfare. There will also be offshore training in boats.
Increasing the expansion of training activities does not mean there will be an increase in sailors based at Naval Base Coronado, he said.
Most of the training Stone said will occur on the Silver Strand side of Coronado but the Navy will occupy some of the strand along the Imperial Beach side.
“There is no training taking place in Imperial Beach itself. There is training in the adjacent area,” Stone said.
“The Navy property along Silver Strand is divided into two sections separated by the state beach. So there is training in both areas. We call it Silver Strand South and Silver Strand North, but there is no training that’s apart of this environmental study in Imperial Beach and the base in Imperial Beach.”
