[PetroniusMaximus]

If there was nothing amiss, they wouldn’t have backed off.

[DoughtyOne]

My take on it would be, if there was anything amiss, they wouldn’t have backed off.

I don’t see this as a sinister ploy by the military. I just don’t think they understand all the dynamics at play, when U.S. Citizens have to watch them conduct military activity on U.S. soil, especially one that entails them locating and securing weapons.

The house to house search activity, is just damned chilling IMO.

[TYVets]

"This exercise will improve the real-life operational skills of the unit," said Kots. "And it will hopefully improve the public's understanding of military operations."

It appears "the public" understands the operation very well and does not approve.

[Travis McGee]

If there was nothing amiss, they wouldn’t have backed off.

I tend to consider this episode to be the political equivalent to a military "probe" to test the "enemy reaction."

I hope they received their answer loud and clear.