‘What’s going on?!’ Residents react to low-flying military helicopters across Houston

HOUSTON – An alarming sight for many people around the Houston area, with military helicopters flying low at all hours of the day.

It’s related to training between the Department of Defense — or Department of War —and the Houston Police Department.

PREVIOUS: Defense Department, local law enforcement agencies conducting training in Houston through Sept. 19

Near Aldine ISD’s Smith Elementary, which closed earlier this year, people are asking, “What’s going on?!” but HPD says this is “very common.”

From Spring Branch to SE Houston and Clear Lake to Midtown and Downtown, a lot of people have posted videos on social media of military helicopters flying low to the ground.

Aldine ISD released a statement saying they’re using Smith Elementary School for the exercises.

Amanda Anderson sent us this video to our 2 Helps You at about 10 last night. She says multiple helicopters flew over her home. First, there were three helicopters— with green and red lights, and it rattled her windows!

Minutes later, she says 4 more helicopters flew over, asking, “What are they doing? Who are they?”

The Houston Police Department posted this to “X” earlier this month, which reads:

“The Department of Defense, in coordination with the Houston Police Department and other local and federal law enforcement agencies, is conducting training in the City of Houston through September 19. Residents may hear noise or see helicopters in the day and evening hours during the exercises. This type of collaborative training between local, state, and federal partners is very common as we continue to work to provide the best service to the public.”

We are reaching out to HPD, hoping to get more information about the training. The training is ongoing through Sept. 19.