Army to test rockets at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — The Army is looking to conduct a test to determine whether soldiers can fire rockets at a Joint Base Lewis-McChord training area without causing too much disturbance to South Sound residents.

The News Tribune reports officials are moving forward with plans to launch 27 training rounds over three days from a range between Lacey and Dupont sometime next winter. The tests are meant to determine how nearby communities might respond to more frequent launching of a weapon called High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

Nearby areas could be hit with noise exceeding 130 decibels.

The rockets are already tested regularly at the Yakima Training Center, but the base is hoping to provide an alternative training location closer to home.

Residents have until Aug. 25 to submit feedback on the plan.