A Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion is one of the propeller aircraft that may be visible in the skies over Maine from July 6 to 13 during training exercises by the U.S. Marine Corps. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine National Guard

The U.S. Marine Corps will be conducting training exercises across Maine from July 6 to 13, including in the skies and in coastal waters.

The exercises will be held in Bangor, Rangeley, Pickerel Pond and Cutler, the Maine National Guard announced on Wednesday.

Mainers may see helicopters (H-60M Black Hawks and CH-53 Sea Stallions), dual propeller MV-22 Ospreys, infantry ground maneuvers, small drone observation flights and naval ship movements off the coast.

The 2nd Marine Division, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is conducting the training as part of the “Atlantic Alliance” exercise, consisting of training scenarios at multiple locations along the East Coast throughout July.

The Maine National Guard will provide logistical support to the Marines during the Maine segment of the exercise.

Boeing’s MV-22 Osprey is one of the propeller aircraft that may be visible in the skies over Maine from July 6 to 13 during training exercises by the U.S. Marine Corps. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine National Guard

Additionally forces from Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are scheduled to participate in the exercise “to maintain interoperability between allied nations,” according to the Maine National Guard.

Similar training events with allied nations are routine and are planned months to years in advance, the Maine National Guard said.

Ethan Andrews is the night editor. He was formerly the managing editor at The Free Press and worked as a reporter for The Republican Journal and Pen Bay Pilot.

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