YumaSun, The Marine Corps intends to kick up a little dust in Yuma on Saturday night.
The downwash from the rotors of some of the helicopters that will be landing and taking off from Cibola High School and two local parks that evening can reach speeds in excess of 90 mph, said Col. James Cooney, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
“It is formidable,” he said.
And while dozens of military helicopters landing and taking off always present serious safety concerns, MCAS Yuma officials are hoping plenty of spectators will turn out to watch Saturday's military operation as it unfolds.
Called Operation Lucky Strike, the event will be only the second one of its kind within Yuma's city limits. The last one was held a year ago, before Yuma's Marine squadrons left for action in the second Gulf war.
Lucky Strike is one of several major airborne exercises put on by Yuma's Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 (MAWTS) during its twice-yearly Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course. The current six-week course ends Oct. 25.
The convoy operation will begin around 3:30 p.m. and last until approximately 9 p.m., said Capt. Michael Tyson, who is coordinating the event.
During that time, up to 35 helicopters
