The U.S. military has been very active in Michigan and around the country this summer. 

The Pentagon insists it’s just routine training.   But others see something more sinister at work.

The ground shook as Apache helicopters fired rounds of ammunition and A-10 airplanes dropped 500 pound bombs on targets while soldiers on the ground move into positions during a training exercise at Camp Grayling.

Smoke rises from a 500 pound bomb dropped from an A-10 airplane during a training exercise at Camp Grayling, Michigan…

More than 3,000 soldiers and airmen have been taking part Operation Northern Strike, a two-week-long training exercise which wraps up today.

“In terms of level of complexity, this is about as complex an operation you can plan and execute,” says Major General Greg Vadnais, the head ofMichigan’s National Guard. “This is PhD level work being done here today.”

Military leaders say the stepped up training is important, especially for a shrinking military.

SOURCE STORY HERE