Bomb training in Fredonia, Lanett area likely caused ‘booms’ heard in Troup

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Staff report

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LaFAYETTE, Ala. — The booming sounds that residents across the county reported hearing Monday and Tuesday afternoon are likely the result of bomb training by a company in the rural community of Fredonia north of Lanett.

Chambers County sheriff’s Maj. Mike Parrish confirmed this morning that booming sounds reported in the Lanett and Valley area were from bomb disposal training at a center in Fredonia. Tripwire Operations Group, a company that offers explosives training, has a 25,000-acre facility in the area, according to news releases available online from the company.

The company had not issued any releases on its website stating it would be hosting training at the facility this week. A call by the Daily News to Tripwire’s headquarters in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was not returned as of press time this morning.

It was unclear how long the training may last.

Parrish said the sheriff’s department also was unaware of any training planned at the facility. Chambers County 911 began receiving calls about the explosive sounds on Monday and deputies were dispatched to check the area, discovering the training operations.

He said people in the Fredonia community have been complaining about the noises since they started.

Loud booms were reported by people across Troup County on Monday afternoon about 2 p.m. and Tuesday about 4 p.m.

The sounds of explosions were reported to Troup County 911 from all corners of the county, ranging from the Mountville community to the Roanoke Road area to Bartley Road on Monday.

Sonic booms were initially suspected as the culprit, but spokespeople from Fort Benning in Columbus and Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins said no air operations were conducted Monday.

A forecaster at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City said his office had no record of any atmospheric conditions that could have caused the noises. A seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey said there is no record of an earthquake in the area, either.

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