KINGSVILLE, Texas — Local residents are distraught over a near disaster during a secret Army training exercise.
Local officials claim they were sworn to secrecy. Getting factual information about what happened is next to impossible.
Reports from residents told of low flying, unmarked helicopters and
soldiers dropping down from ropes in the center of the town after
dark Monday night. WorldNetDaily was told that the police station burned and a commercial building was severely damaged.
The assistant police chief confirmed what no one else would admit.
“The United States Army Special Operations Command was conducting a
training exercise in our area,” admitted Arthur Rogers when the
police chief was unavailable for comment. He refused further
details.
That was more than Mayor Phil Esquivel would disclose. He said he
was sworn to secrecy for national security reasons. His answers were
evasive and without detail.
When Esquivel was asked about damage he denied there was any. When
he was told that damage was reported by a witness, he revised his
comments.
“If there was any damage done, they were going to repair it, but I
haven’t gotten an assessment of the properties,” the mayor stated.
He then admitted there was a fire, but would not comment on the
cause or the extent of damage.
Was there damage to a building?
“Possibly,” said Esquivel. “An abandoned building that was going to
be torn down anyway.” It was learned from another witness that the
damaged building was a commercial building that is not going to be
torn down.
Witnesses reported that black helicopters with no identification
markings flew into the city just after dark. They arrived in the
center of the city, which had been evacuated by police. The secret
training exercise lasted several hours.
When it was over an abandoned police station had been accidentally
set on fire and the Exxon building was badly damaged when one or
more helicopters landed on the roof. Windows of buildings were also
broken.
“I live out in the country and they flew right over us and our house
just trembled. That’s how low they were going,” said Thelma, a
resident who would give only her first name.
Esquivel claims he is just being a good citizen by not giving the
details. He confirmed that he had granted permission for the
exercise, but he refused to say how long ago permission was granted
or which branch of the military was involved.
“They asked me to keep it secret,” repeated Esquivel several times.
“I respect national security. It was very well controlled and no one
was hurt.
“It didn’t expend city taxpayers dollars. It did not put citizens
of Kingsville in jeopardy. The police department warned all
surrounding neighbors. We’re supporting national security.”
Many residents have been complaining extensively. In between life
insurance sales appointments, the mayor has been fielding angry
phone calls.
“I’m glad that this gets out. This is total B.S. If we don’t stop it
now it’s going to get worse,” John Rohmfeld, who lives there, told
WorldNetDaily. “Apparently this was a secret operation.
“They meant to come in here and see what the hell they can get away
with. I’m not going to let them get away with it,” he stated.
The mayor tells all the concerned callers the same thing:
“It was a training exercise that would insure national security if
we ever need it. It was asked not to disclose what armed services or
what division of the armed services it was in, but it is supporting
national security.”
There are 25,000 residents of Kingsville, a town near Corpus Christi
and home of the Kingsville Naval Station. Residents are used to
seeing military people around town, but not rappelling down from
helicopters.
They want to know what happened in their town. Not knowing causes
fear, and refusal to answer questions causes them to lose trust in
their leaders.
The local barber shop is usually the center of gossip and discussion
of current events. The day after the exercise there were only
questions and doubt, which were the result of no official word on
what happened.
“I don’t like something like that. I don’t like what was going on,”
said barber Joel Gant.
For now, the questions remain. The army public relations officer
failed to return calls from WorldNetDaily, and no one in an official
position was willing to explain what happened.
David M. Bresnahan, a contributing editor for WorldNetDaily.com, is the author of “Cover Up: The Art and Science of Political Deception,” and offers a monthly newsletter “Talk USA Investigative Reports.”
He may be reached through email and also maintains a website.
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