Controversial Jade Helm Military Exercise Opens in Texas
(Worthy News) – Operation Jade Helm 15, the summer-long U.S. military training exercise in the Southwest that has stirred conspiracy theories of imminent martial law, kicked off Wednesday in Texas.
The operation, involving 1,200 servicemembers, including Special Forces from all four branches, Marine expeditionary forces and the 82nd Airborne Division, is being conducted largely on private property.
The overall exercise will take place across Texas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Utah and New Mexico. [ Source ]
As Jade Helm 15 Military Exercise Begins, Texans Keep Watch ‘Just in Case’
On the orders of Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas State Guard will monitor Jade Helm 15 from Camp Mabry in Austin, the state capital. So will at least one national group of unofficial monitors and protesters that calls itself Counter Jade Helm. It plans to have teams of volunteers follow Army vehicles and post their locations on its website.
Dr. Campbell and others said much of the paranoia over Jade Helm 15 was the outgrowth of the anti-Obama sentiment that is widespread in Texas. Residents supported the governor’s decision to have the state monitor the military’s activities. “I think there’s an overall distrust of the government now,” Dr. Campbell said. “If we had a government that we felt had our backs, I don’t think anybody would give it the time of day.”
Training exercises off base involving role-playing are not new. But the size and scope of Jade Helm 15 make it unusual. [ Source ]
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