WEST POINT – Cadets at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point have commenced their summer military training exercises, known as “Beast Barracks”. As a result, residents in the area of the service academy can expect elevated noise levels from helicopters and artillery. Traffic volume will also increase on Route 293 with convoys of military vehicles.
Beast Barracks is the first portion of a cadet’s experience at West Point. The training begins after the students are sworn in as cadets and prior to attending their first academic class.
The summer training activities conducted on the military installation are underway and will continue through August to include areas in and around Camp Buckner and Lake Frederick.
Training is conducted to simulate the physical and mental challenges cadets will face when they become officers in the U.S. Army. Realistic training has inherent risks, and the safety and welfare of the entire West Point community is the academy’s top priority.
Training opportunities for the cadets include infantry operations, artillery firing, weapons training, aviation operations, military engineering projects, training in field communications, demolitions, and survival skills techniques.
Academy officials say that noise levels will be sporadic through the summer months with increased activity associated with Air Assault School and during specialized training operations in July. Residents can expect to see and hear low-flying aircraft and helicopters in and around the training and cantonment areas during these training sessions.
Residents and commuters may see increased traffic along route 293 with military vehicles and troop movement.
