This week, the typically serene suburbs of Pasadena, Long Beach, and other parts of the Los Angeles area were shaken by the thunderous presence of military helicopters, simulated gunfire, and flash grenades. These activities are part of ongoing exercises that could become a familiar sight in Southern California over the next couple of years.
As major international events like the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics loom on the horizon, federal officials have indicated that extensive tactical training sessions will persist in the region. These exercises are part of a larger effort to prepare law enforcement agencies for the influx of global attention and the unique security challenges these events present.
The recent drills in locations such as Pasadena, Irvine, Long Beach, and Industry have caught the local populace by surprise, as they were unprepared for the sudden burst of nocturnal urban warfare simulations.
Laura Eimiller, a spokesperson for the FBI, explained that these exercises are standard components of an ongoing readiness strategy that involves collaboration among federal, state, and local entities.
She emphasized that the FBI consistently engages in training with various specialized teams, including SWAT units, bomb disposal experts, dive teams, and crisis negotiators. “Regular training is essential for our dive team, SWAT team, bomb technicians, and crisis negotiators,” Eimiller told the Orange County Register. “With high-profile events such as the FIFA Games, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics approaching, we anticipate additional training with more partners, but consistent training remains a priority.”
âWe train on a regular basis, whether itâs our dive team, our SWAT team, our bomb techs, crisis negotiators, we have many specialty teams that conduct training on a regular basis with our partners,â Eimiller told the Orange County Register. âWith the upcoming FIFA Games, upcoming Super Bowl, and upcoming Olympics, there may be additional training with additional partners, but we conduct training on a regular basis.â
One of the most noticeable exercises took place Wednesday at the former St. Luke Medical Center on Washington Boulevard in Pasadena and near Alton Parkway and Irvine Boulevard in Irvine.
Local officials issued social media alerts after residents reported seeing helicopters and tactical personnel engaged in military-style scenarios.
The training continued Thursday, when officials in Long Beach and Industry warned residents they could hear loud explosions overnight as more exercises got underway.
While some community members criticized the timing of the drills and the limited advance notice, federal officials argued the preparation is essential as Southern California gets ready to host some of the worldâs biggest sporting events.
âI think taxpayers would be happy to know we do prepare and we do train for anything that could occur,â Eimiller said.
The FBI is now considering broader public outreach following the strong reaction to the recent exercises.
Eimiller said residents may begin seeing public notices explaining that FBI-led training activity will increase in areas tied to upcoming events.
âWeâll put out a social media post saying, âYouâll see more training with the FBI and with local partners due to the upcoming special events going on in our territory. Especially in specific areas where games will be taking place,ââ she said.
The security push comes as Los Angeles prepares to welcome visitors from around the globe for the FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11 and runs through July 19.
Planning efforts are also underway for the Super Bowl and the Olympics that will follow.
The exercises have also sparked questions from local leaders.
Some cities reportedly received only limited information before the operations, forcing officials to notify residents just hours before the drills began.
The short notice led to a surge of calls to city halls and police departments.
Pasadena officials are now seeking additional details about the scope and purpose of the training.
Meanwhile, some residents have questioned whether the exercises signal changing federal priorities, while others have speculated that authorities are preparing for urban warfare scenarios.
Last September, during a rare gathering of top US military officials in Quantico, Virginia, President Trump voiced an interest in utilizing domestic cities as military training sites.
âAnd I told [Secretary of Defense] Pete [Hegseth], we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military,â Trump said in the speech.
