Weeks of window-rattling noise coming from Pendleton may concern local residents, but what some might call a nuisance is saving lives overseas.

The live-fire artillery training being conducted by the Pendleton’s 11th Marine Regiment is designed to aid ambushed or pinned-down brothers in arms fighting today’s war on terror.

“Most of these batteries and units will be deploying in the not-to-distant future and this training is critical to their deployment,” said Lt. Col. Robert L. Manion, commanding officer, 1st Battalion 11th Marines. “I wish it wasn’t quite so loud, but you can’t simulate what these guys do on the gun line. This live fire is critical.”

Two dozen M777 Lightweight Towed Howitzers and a number of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, firing day and night, generates a majority of the noise heard from Temecula to Carlsbad.

“It’s the sound of Marines training and doing what we do,” added Manion, a San Clemente-native. “Artillery fire has a very low tolerance for mistakes and takes a lot of time and training to build the proficiency that these guys need to go into harms way.”

The training evolution that began on Aug. 10 is scheduled to end today.

The exercise requires Marines to load, communicate, and fire the 95 to 135 pound shells between 2.5 to 5 miles in seconds. The 155mm TNT-packed round has the ability to travel up to 18 miles.

“We are using a lot of the precision munitions overseas,” said Manion. “It may not be the high intensity kind of fighting we saw in the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but it definitely has its purpose.”

When Marines are under fire and need fire support, artillery units may be employed to ensure the destruction, neutralization or suppression of enemy combatants.

“Many people might not understand what we’re doing, but we are doing it for them,” said Lance Cpl. Joseph L. Favela, cannoneer, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 11th Marine Regiment. “My wife even complains about the windows shaking, but she understands and knows I’m out here training to keep us safe.”

For additional information regarding Pendleton’s noise advisories log onto the base’s official Web site at www.pendleton.usmc.mil/information/noiseAdvisory.asp.