Finished this story to run in the paper sometime over the weekend. Placed a few calls in search of neighbors who might have something to say about the prospect but came up empty Friday afternoon. Feel free to comment as you see fit here.

The Army is looking into firing sonic boom-inducing rockets at Fort Lewis and wants to know what the neighbors will think.

Post officials are holding a public meeting Tuesday night in Lacey. It’s part of the environmental assessment of a proposal to fire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System – HIMARS, for short – on the post’s training ranges.

The meeting is 6-9 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. S.E.

“We recognize that noise that comes from training at Fort Lewis is an issue with some of our communities, and we recognize that noise would be one of the primary issues with firing HIMARS rockets,” said Joseph Piek, a post spokesman.

“That’s why we’re taking the necessary time to do the environmental assessment and analysis and taking all of this into consideration.”

The South Sound is already home to an array of military training noise – mortars, artillery, gunfire, demolitions and helicopters at Fort Lewis, and aircraft at McChord Air Force Base.

The HIMARS would add a new, although not necessarily louder, dimension. The rockets create a sonic boom shortly after they’re fired from a launcher mounted on the back of a 5-ton truck.

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The USO Puget Sound holds its big annual fundraiser – a black-tie gala and auction featuring country music star Jake Owen – on Oct. 3 at Qwest Field in Seattle. Tickets are $175. For more information see the USO web site via the link above or call 1-206-246-1908.