Army to test whether rocket units can train at JBLM

TACOMA, Wash. — The Army wants to stage a test next winter to determine whether soldiers can fire rockets at a Joint Base Lewis-McChord training area without overly disturbing South Sound residents.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports that officials want to launch 27 training rounds over three days from a range between Lacey and DuPont to gauge how nearby communities might respond to more frequent firing of a weapon called High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

The rockets have the potential to create a sonic boom and likely will be more noticeable to residents than the howitzer cannons that currently use JBLM artillery training areas.

JBLM plans to host an open house Thursday for residents with questions about the proposal.

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