Authorities at Los Angeles International Airport announced a change in flight paths for planes on approach due to military exercises being conducted. Planes usually approach the airport from the Pacific Ocean. But the military has closed that airspace so aircraft must make their approach over populated areas like Inglewood.

ABC 7:

"We clearly understand that neighbors and communities east of the airport will experience noise and we apologize for that," said Nancy Castles, LAX public relations director.

The military is not saying what exactly is causing the change, and LAX claims it's also in the dark. Castles said all they know is planes can't be flying at low altitudes to our west.

Six years ago, ABC7 cameras captured a military operation in downtown LA. Helicopters were seen swooping between high-rises, close enough that residents were able to see armed soldiers in camouflage outside their window.

Authorities claimed it was part of a training exercise designed to ensure the military's ability to operate in urban environments and to prepare forces for upcoming overseas deployment.

What's going on this week is a mystery.

"And plus if it's a military thing it's a good thing, that means they're making it safer for us so I wouldn't let it bother me," said Steve Devosion of Inglewood. "I'd be more interested in them not doing something about what's going on than them doing something about what's going on."

Perhaps the exercises that forced the diversion of aircraft were part of a test launch of a Trident Missile from a US submarine:

A missile test flight from a submarine left hundreds of people from Southern California to Nevada and Arizona perplexed as it caused a bright light to streak across the sky Saturday night.

The Pentagon issued a statement that the Navy Strategic Systems Programs conducted a scheduled test of a Trident II (D5) missile from USS Kentucky, an Ohio class submarine.

The missile was not armed, according to the statement, and tests are conducted on a frequent, recurring basis to ensure reliability of the system.

Residents from Ventura to as far as Nevada and Arizona took photos and videos of the strange phenomenon around 6 p.m.

It is unclear if the flight diversions of Los Angeles International Airport planes over the Pacific has to do with the missile tests.

In the Chicago area, we occassionally have closed airspace over O'Hare airport. There is an air reserve station located on airport property and a few times a year, planes are diverted from the primary flight path to another. But I know that residents of suburbs that used to experience regular house rattling passes by commercial air liners aren't pleased when that happens as I'm sure most residents of Inglewood could tell you.