Green Flag West military exercise runs through April 29

Residents in Southern Nevada and areas of California can expect military aircraft noise to increase today through April 29 while Nellis Air Force Base conducts a Green Flag air combat training exercise.

Warplanes and support aircraft will fly from the base to the skies over Fort Irwin, Calif., where they will provide close air support training for airmen and soldiers preparing to deploy to combat zones overseas, according to Nellis officials.

The exercise, known as Green Flag West, is an "unscripted battle exercise which provides units with training on a scale not available at or near their home stations.

"Green Flag West replicates irregular warfare conditions currently found in Southwest Asia," a Nellis news release states.

Aircraft involved in the exercise include F-16 Fighting Falcons from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., B-1B Lancer bombers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 117th Air Refueling Squadron at Forbes Field, Kan.

A Cessna 182 Predator Surrogate from the Civil Air Patrol at North Las Vegas Airport will also participate.