Jade Helm 15 training exercises end

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Operation Jade Helm 15, an eight-week, multi-state exercise, has come to an end.

The training event was launched to prepare members of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command to better defend against threats abroad. USASOC trained with other U.S. Armed Forces units beginning on July 15 and ending on September 15, 2015.

Multi-state training exercises are nothing new for the U.S. military, however Jade Helm's size and scope set the exercise apart, prompting the circulation of various conspiracy theories, particularly trepidation over the rumored installment of a police state in Texas.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Texas State Guard, a militia he oversees, to monitor the exercise. Other conservative figures commented on the exercise, including presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who said he wanted "more information" from the Pentagon on the procedures.

Jade Helm 15 was aimed at increasing combat readiness. Ahead of the operation, Army officials maintained that civilian activity would be mostly unaffected, but warned there would be an increase in vehicle and military air traffic.

The training took place on both private and public land with the permission of private landowners. Participants were tasked with using the time to develop new tactics and concepts in Special Operations warfare. State and local offices were updated with information as the training progressed.