Clarksville and Fort Campbell residents are in for a noisy few weeks as the "Operation Lethal Eagle" military exercise kicks off. From now until the end of April, the skies above and the roads around Fort Campbell will be busier with helicopters and convoys, punctuated by the sounds of live fire exercises, including artillery and small arms. According to WTVF, this escalated military activity is set to run through April 30.
Those on the move should expect delays, as military vehicles will be utilizing public roadways between Fort Campbell and Fort Knox during daylight hours. Notably, this includes Interstate 24 from Exit 86 to Exit 81. "We’re alerting the public to reduce delays in travel time and remind motorists to use extra caution when driving near military vehicles," Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler told Clarksville Now. Additionally, several gates will be closed or offer restricted access over the course of the exercise, steering all the non-authorized traffic to Gates 7 and 10.
However, it's not all drills and disruptions at Fort Campbell this April; the base is simultaneously honoring the resilience of military kids. The Month of the Military Child (MOMC) is in full swing, with a series of events focused on recognizing and supporting the youngest members of military families. The celebration kicked-off with a Color Run, and Col. Chris Midberry, Fort Campbell Garrison Commander, underscored their significance by signing a proclamation about the unique challenges military children face. "Growing up as a military child myself, I experienced first-hand some of the unique challenges our military children face," Midberry said, in an event covered by Christian County Now.
Looking ahead, the base will sport purple on April 17 for Purple Up Day as a sign of solidarity with military youth — purple symbolizes the blend of all military branches' colors. The festivities continue with KidsFest on April 20, inviting all to enjoy a day packed with fun, family-friendly activities. For the full roster of MOMC events, such as the Community Art Project and Operation Megaphone, the public can visit the MWR website.
