Night Flights A Mystery- Military Says It Isn't The Source
Olympia, Washington (United States):
Several residents have inquired about low-flying jets passing through or circling the Olympia area that have disturbed their peace and quiet on recent nights.
But spokesmen for the likely sources of these aircraft, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, say they're unaware of any training that would require them flying in and around the area.
Several residents reported the flyovers Thursday night, and two residents in the Ward Lake area reported an even more unsettling experience Tuesday night -- low-flying planes plus a helicopter aiming a spotlight on their homes.
No helicopter flights left Gray Army Airfield on Tuesday evening, post spokesman Matt Hinkle said, and the Army post doesn't have jets.
A McChord spokesman said the last time its aircraft flew any type of formation was Tuesday, and that it was far away from the Olympia area.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office hasn't equipped its helicopter for night flying, Chief Criminal Deputy Dan Kimball said.
Flight patterns can take military aircraft over the area, but they generally stay at high altitudes.
Stephanie Tibbits, who lives near Ward Lake, said she was awakened about 11 p.m. Tuesday by her 13-year-old son, who thought something was wrong because of the low-flying aircraft. The two checked the television news in case something had happened and then went back to sleep.
Tibbits said she awoke again after midnight because of the noise of the low-flying planes, helicopters and what she concluded was artillery fire at Fort Lewis.
"I stood at my window and watched the air traffic happening for about 10 minutes," she said.
She didn't hear the low-flying aircraft Thursday night, but she said a neighbor had.
http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050917/NEWS01/509170336/1006
Olympia, Washington (United States):
Several residents have inquired about low-flying jets passing through or circling the Olympia area that have disturbed their peace and quiet on recent nights.
But spokesmen for the likely sources of these aircraft, Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, say they're unaware of any training that would require them flying in and around the area.
Several residents reported the flyovers Thursday night, and two residents in the Ward Lake area reported an even more unsettling experience Tuesday night -- low-flying planes plus a helicopter aiming a spotlight on their homes.
No helicopter flights left Gray Army Airfield on Tuesday evening, post spokesman Matt Hinkle said, and the Army post doesn't have jets.
A McChord spokesman said the last time its aircraft flew any type of formation was Tuesday, and that it was far away from the Olympia area.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office hasn't equipped its helicopter for night flying, Chief Criminal Deputy Dan Kimball said.
Flight patterns can take military aircraft over the area, but they generally stay at high altitudes.
Stephanie Tibbits, who lives near Ward Lake, said she was awakened about 11 p.m. Tuesday by her 13-year-old son, who thought something was wrong because of the low-flying aircraft. The two checked the television news in case something had happened and then went back to sleep.
Tibbits said she awoke again after midnight because of the noise of the low-flying planes, helicopters and what she concluded was artillery fire at Fort Lewis.
"I stood at my window and watched the air traffic happening for about 10 minutes," she said.
She didn't hear the low-flying aircraft Thursday night, but she said a neighbor had.
http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050917/NEWS01/509170336/1006
