FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Army focuses on traffic flow during exercise Lightning Thrust Warrior SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - The 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army Hawaii is taking extra steps to ensure smooth and safe traffic movement when more than 4,000 soldiers begin deploying Monday in support of exercise Lightning Thrust Warrior. Lightning Thrust Warrior is a non-live fire field training exercise, which will take place at Schofield Barracks and other northern Oahu training areas through Feb. 16. Military police units will accompany convoys that will depart from Wheeler Army Airfield to various training sites including Dillingham Military Reservation, Kahuku and Puu Kapu Training Areas. Additionally, the Honolulu Police Department will coordinate traffic flow at critical junctures, said Capt. Charlie W. Ward, the deputy division transportation officer, 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army, Hawaii. "We have implemented all necessary measures to minimize the impact of traffic congestion for the civilian community," Ward said. While the HPD directs traffic flow on Highway 83 Kunia Road, Kunia Gate at Schofield Barracks and Wilkina Drive, and the intersection of Highways 80 and 99, also known as "Pineapple Junction," military police will escort and assist in recovering any military vehicle breakdowns. The convoys, which include high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles ("Humvees") and other tactical trucks pulling trailers, will travel at the posted speeds on the roadways, up to 45 mph. No more than 20 vehicles will travel in a group. Convoy groups will be sent out with at least 20-minute intervals between departures from Wheeler Army Air Field to allow for civilian traffic flow, Ward added. Rush-hour traffic will not be affected as the convoys move to the field from Monday through Feb. 10. "We are limiting convoys during the high-traffic times, which are 6 to 8 a.m. or 3:30 to 6 p.m.," Ward said. "Only limited nighttime convoys between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. are scheduled, as well." Ward advises drivers to be patient with the convoys because they are traveling relatively short distances of about eight miles to training areas before turning off the roadways. Drivers should not try to pass convoys or jump in between tactical-vehicle formations. Convoys will re-deploy in intervals at the completion of the exercise using the same deployment guidelines. During the exercise, soldiers will be training in combat tasks, including attacking enemy strongholds, defending terrain, maintaining communications, conducting aerial assaults and performing combat-service support operations. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 25th Infantry Division (Light) aviation, field artillery, engineers, air defense and chemical units will participate in the exercise. |
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