Alien invasion in Santa Monica

Residents of Santa Monica have been warned to expect low-flying military helicopters over the city during the lunch rush on Tuesday. It may look and sound like a war zone, but it's just a scene for the movie "Battle: Los Angeles.” Plot: "A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles." Read the email from the Santa Monica Airport manager after the jump.

On TUESDAY, December 15, 2009 between 12 noon and 1 PM, three Marine Corp CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters will overfly the City of Santa Monica in a southeasterly direction starting from the Pier area and then towards the Santa Monica Airport where they will briefly land and then depart towards the west.

They will fly at approximately 900 - 1000 feet above the ground until commencing their descent to the Airport – which will occur over the business park just north of the facility (see attached route of flight).

The three helicopters will be filmed in flight by an A-Star helicopter as part of a scene for an upcoming movie entitled: “Battle: Los Angeles” - a Sony Pictures Entertainment production. Plot: A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.

Even though this is a movie shoot, it falls under the Department of Defense jurisdiction which precludes the City from restricting the activity.