ALPENA, Mich. -- Alpena, Mich. - The Michigan National Guard’s Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center will host an annual training exercise that will cause an increase in local air traffic within a five-mile radius of the installation beginning June 19, 2024.
The exercise activities will take place weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. through June 28, 2024. During this time, the public may notice higher volumes of unmanned aerial system traffic as drone operators practice flying and maneuvering capabilities within the context of a larger exercise. No night or weekend activity is scheduled.
In past iterations, Alpena CRTC was the sole training location for this agile combat employment exercise. This year, the footprint has expanded to include three other active, reserve and National Guard locations, in addition to a Canadian site. Alpena provides ideal conditions for this training because of the limited local air traffic. These drones will not be photographing private property or civilians.
Alpena CRTC’s mission is to provide premiere support, facilities, instruction and airspace to DOD, Department of Homeland Security, coalition, and emergency responders to meet mission training requirements of combatant commanders and civil authorities.
For those interested in following the latest news and information on activity at Alpena CRTC, updates are provided via the public web page, www.alpenacrtc.ang.af.mil, or the Alpena Facebook page.