Starting Wednesday, U.S. Army Special Operations Command will take point on a large-scale training exercise in Texas — or if you believe some fringe outlets, they'll take point on the Pentagon's preparation for civil war.

Jade Helm 15, as the exercise is called, will run through Sept. 15 and will involve unconventional warfare involving Army special operators, as well as representatives from the other services.

It will focus on enhancing team-level elements' abilities to operate in unconventional warfare well-removed from company- and battalion-level organization, said USASOC spokesman Lt. Col. Mark Lastoria.

The months leading up to Jade Helm were peppered with various conspiracy theories on fringe websites. The outrage even led to town hall meetings in Texas communities with Army representatives.

On the eve of Jade Helm, Lastori dismissed the conspiracies and suggestedion opposition to the exercises has waned.

"This overall training exercise is designed to ensure that Army special operations forces are trained, equipped and organized to meet future threats," Lastoria told Army Times. "Even a lot of the journalists in Texas have said a lot of the controversy has died down."

A Chile special forces soldier assists a U.S. SF soldier engage practice targets April 22, 2015, during night fire training in Camp Shelby, Miss., as part of a bilateral training exchange organized by members of Special Operations Command South. The training exchange promotes cooperation among peer nations as both countries share common concerns in the region regarding threats such as transnational organized crime and terrorism. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite/Released)

Jade Helm 15 kicks off on July 15.

Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Osvaldo Equite/SOCOM

About 4-5 four to five members of the Texas sState gGuard will act as a liaison for citizens and coordinate with the Army from Camp Mabry, headquarters of Texas Military Forces, according to the governor's office. A spokesman said the state should have no reason to worry or distrust the military, and said most communications between the Texas sState gGuard and constituents have dealt with simple logistics.

Lastoria said the biggest inconvenience to residents will be noise from military vehicles passing through. Most activities will occur in remote settings, and any use of private land has been coordinated and agreed to in advance, he said.

Outside events have been tied into the conspiracy. Temporarily-closed Walmarts were seen as concentration camps being prepared in the minds of some, while Blue Bell ice cream trucks traveling allegedly traveling near military vehicles were theorized as mobile morgues.

Journalists are not permitted to embed in the operation. Lastoria cited "the scope and scale and complex nature of the training exercise," which he said was not uncommon among training exercises.

Jade Helm ends in September.

Photo Credit: DoD

"We look at all request for media visibility, and grant when and where possible. In this case it just wasn't possible," Lastoria said. "We have to take a balance of communication with the public and preserving operation security as well."

The training will take place, according to USASOC, in the following locations:

• Arizona: National Guard Training Centers and at an Army Reserve Center

• Florida: Eglin Air Force Base

• Louisiana: Camp Beauregard

• Mississippi: Camp Shelby, Naval Research Laboratory – Stennis Space Center, and U.S. Navy Seabee Base at Gulfport/Biloxi

• New Mexico: Cannon Air Force Base, and tentatively in Otero County

• Texas: Camps Bullis and Swift, and in Bastrop, Burleson, Brazos, Edwards, Howard, Hudspeth, Kimble, Martin, Marion, Real, Schleicher and Tom Green Counties

• Utah: Carbon and Emery Counties

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