HANSVILLE — U.S. Coast Guard vessels will discharge flares and simulate machine gun fire Thursday and Friday during a training exercise on Hood Canal.

The drills will take place between Foulweather Bluff in Hansville and Bangor, according to a Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit news release. No live ammunition will be fired in the exercise.

The Coast Guard unit is charged with escorting U.S. Navy vessels to and from Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, including submarines. The Coast Guard began the escorts following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to the release.