Low flying F-16 fighter jetsw over Washington, DC area... What's goin on???

Eye Witness ^ | 03 MAY 2004 | Me...

[CAbornAmerasianinDC]

I was just outside my building in Old Towne, Alexandria, VA(suburb of Washington, DC) and noticed 2 low flying F-16 fighter jets fly by. I remember this happening about a month ago, but that, I eventuqally found out was for a photo shoot. Today's weather(gloomy/rain) is definitely not optimal for photo ops. Have searched the web, no results...

[CAbornAmerasianinDC]

They were flying away from DCA(Reagan National), flying NW toward Dulles. If anything, they came from DCA or Andrews AFB, which is in the same direction in relation to where I work...

[camle]

hugh series? I knew Hugh Downs! beaver's dad.

[IYAAYAS]

I live in Fort Lauderdale, in the last three days I have seen the following aircraft flying around the city: B-2 bomber (2X), an entire squadron of F-18's in formation, an assortment of F-14's and F-15's, and cobra attack helo's. I also could swear I could see an aircraft carrier just off the coast. Every few minuets, all weekend long it sounded as if the sky was being ripped open... what's going on?

I am serious (sp?)

[camle]

actually that was hugh beaumont, not hugh downs. downs was the tv guy.

been a tough day

[Mad Dawgg]

"Must be series! Even Hugh!"

No, this is Hugh.

[johnb838]

Air & Sea show. Fox reported on it all weekend. Cool stuff!

[b4its2late]

I bet your happy you asked this question in the form of a post...

[CAbornAmerasianinDC]

Wasn't there some huge airshow in your area??? That'd explain the presence of our military's airborne hardware. Here in the DC area, barely ever do you see military planes. This is definitely not a regular occurence here. More notably is the fact that they were flying at low altitiude and NOT on the usual approach/departure flight path to DCA. As you know there are flight restrictions over certain parts of DC, these were in place even before 9/11. Thus my concern.

[tanknetter]

Any USAAC/USAAF/USAF interments at Arlington today rating a fly-by? Usually they come through in a fourship of two pairs, with one ship pulling up at the last moment to create the "missing man" ...

[wolficatZ]

I heard F-16s over Tempe yesterday (Sunday), which is fairly infrequent around here. They didn't fly directly overhead, but the distinctive howl of the F-16 is unmistakable.

[CAbornAmerasianinDC]

When I saw the planes, I was alarmed. I immediately searched the web for any news(FR, Drudge, AP, Reuters, etc..). Came up zilch. Of course I checked this site first, since we're usually faster than most major media outlets. I guess it might be a bit of vanity, but more importantly, I wanna know what's goin on. I was hoping someone here had the scoop.

[McGruff]

This reminds me of the recent thread about low flying F-16s over Texas. After all the joking it turned out to be a small plane that flew over Pres. Bush's ranch and had to be forced down.

[HairOfTheDog]

When I saw the planes, I was alarmed.

Jeepers.... you're jumpy! - When I see F-16s I say "Man... there go some guys with cool jobs!"

[John H K]

Eh, there are no F-16s at DCA. They're all at Andrews.

They flew over here, in Greenbelt, NE of DC.

[FourPeas]

My reaction's more primative: Ooooooh.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Keyword fun! Pile on!

[b4its2late]

No big deal. I understand your concern.

I also think it's pretty funny to see all those posts that really don't give you the answer your looking for but make the rest of us LOBO!

[FoxPro]

I live down the street from you. I saw them to. Pretty cool.

[DallasMike]

Every few minuets, all weekend long it sounded as if the sky was being ripped open... what's going on?

Every few minuets? Why were you dancing?

[CAbornAmerasianinDC]

I said it was a possibility that they came from DCA(though I know it's not likely) since they came from that direction ion relation to where I am(I can watch DCA bound/originating planes approach/ascend, depending on the wind direction). So you're saying they landed at Greenbelt(NASA)???