The drill — which involved helicopters flying low, troops rappelling onto the roof, simulated gunfire, flash bangs and controlled explosions — continued until about 2 a.m. Thursday, past the 1 a.m. end time officials had announced.
The exercise centered on the privately owned, vacant former hospital campus in the 2600 block of East Washington Boulevard.
Councilmember Rick Cole said he was outraged. He said the city’s non-emergency line was flooded with calls from confused residents and noted it was especially traumatic because the area was affected by the 2025 Eaton Fire.
“It went on for an extended period of time, and it really freaked out the neighbors,” Cole told CBS Los Angeles.
In a written statement, the Pasadena Chief Communications Officer said the Police Department had been contacted by the military “a few months ago to ask if officers could assist with providing security and ensuring safety to the community while the military conducted urban combat training within the city.”
As the date drew closer, the statement said, “the military unit provided general information about their training plans at the old St. Luke’s Hospital site, a vacant building, that is privately owned. Minimal details were shared with the Police Department.”
“The City notified the public a few hours before the exercise was to begin,” the statement said. “The City had no control on the timing of the exercise or specific details.”
The statement added that the city’s priority was “the safety of the residents and vehicle traffic in the immediate area.”
A separate similar U.S. military training exercise was conducted Thursday night in the Long Beach and Industry areas, slated to conclude at 2 a.m. Friday.
Long Beach Police Department personnel were in the area to assist with pedestrian and vehicle safety, police said, but Long Beach does not have jurisdiction over operational details.
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