Just Witnessed Possible CAP Flight Intercept

My own personal self | 1/4/02 | Psalm37

[psalm37]

About 30 Minutes ago, 6:10-ish Eastern Time I was outside and noticed three aircraft flying South. I'm inside the Beltway, in Northern VA (about 10 miles from DC); I'd guess these aircraft were not actually over DC, but close.

The lead aircraft was lit up like an airliner at low altitude, the other two were definitely CAP aircraft, with just white blinking beacons (one each). The CAPs came up behind the airliner at high speed then backed off to match speed with it. Then the CAP to the left sped up and came so close to the airliner that I could not distinguish which was which. I never heard any engine or other noises because they were all too far away, and at this time of evening, rush-hour traffic is in full swing - lots of ambient sounds.

Next they all started turning to the left and straightened out heading North-Eastward. At this time either the airliner or the CAP closest to it showed a new light, which was very intense, and looked yellow/orange. At this point I would have been looking at them from the rear and left. I watched this scene, including the new, intense, yellow/orange light for another 10-15 seconds before I lost sight of them in the trees.

At first I wondered if this was a mid-air re-fueling, with the brightest light being used for visibility purposes, but I wonder if they would re-fuel like that at such low altitude, and over such a highly populated area.

[MindyW]

If you're inside the Beltway, you're not a normal American and we can't trust your observations. Sorry.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

[True Capitalist]

did you notice if that CAP was made of tin foil?

[HoustonKevin]

I live but a few miles from Ellington Field in Seabrook.

I love seeing those babies.

They buzz my house, hauling ass, a couple of times a day.

I can see a fully loaded arsenal and I feel much, much safer.

Good Job Men! ...and Thanks.

[psalm37]

Let's remind Dog Gone that a pretty decent President of these United States currently resides just about as far inside the Beltway as it gets!

[MindyW]

So true. I'm also about 10 miles from DC in NOVA...Annandale actually.

[ParityErr]

My latest flying magazine has an article where the author rode backseat in a F18 practicing with other F18s intercepting an airliner with their C-135 air refuelers over Alaska. This could be what you witnessed.

[psalm37]

Wow, I remember that post and subsequent news!

When I described the light as yellow/orange, I was also being careful. I've seen afterburners before too, and thought that might be the source of tonight's bright light, BUT - I couldn't hear the planes, and there's nothing wrong with my hearing, so I dismissed the idea.

[psalm37]

Play nice!

Or if you're serious, be specific about it.

[psalm37]

Falls Church

[psalm37]

Well, thank you for your service at that critical time in our history.

I was enlisted until they discharge my bad knees.

[psalm37]

"Would you be, could you be, won't you be my neighbor?"

[Dog Gone]

Let's remind Dog Gone that a pretty decent President of these United States currently resides just about as far inside the Beltway as it gets!

Point well taken, but unlike Al Gore, his ranch isn't fake and he will return to it to live. As far as he's concerned, he's on assignment in hostile territory.

[Bullish]

It seems any attempted terrorism (thwarted) is being covered up by the government media complex.

It sounds crazy, but when you condsider the shoe bomber (no mention of muslumism), and the rush to blame turbulence for a tail section flying off an airliner, well, I dunno'.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

My home is fairly elevated

Shoot, that's nothing. My blood-alcohol level is fairly eleveated, and I see this kind of stuff all the time.

[Thumper1960]

The only thing we get to see here are ANG choppers, usually flying in tandem going to Fort Indiantown Gap, and military "trainers" doing *touch and go's* at the local airport. Haven't seen any jets, other than the Lears a couple private firms keep hangered.

[tbeatty]

This could also have been just three military planes. I suspect that senior members of government (i.e. Rumsfeld, et al) are getting military escorts when they fly. We are considered at war. It might have a been a military 737 or something.

[psalm37]

Point taken. I will agree with you that it feels like living behind enemy lines. I'm in Fairfax County; The People's Republic of Arlington (County), is right next door to the East. Beyond Arlington lies DC. It seems that Liberal foolishness radiates outward from DC. This foolishness is diminished by distance and seems unable to cross salt water or farm land without suffering distortion. Real trouble occurs when foolishness radiating from two or more large cities converges - especially when there's no salt water or farm land between the cities. For example, I offer the fact that the parts of Maryland between DC and Baltimore make no sense at all - I can barely even drive the roads without a guide.

[Don Joe]

"I'd much rather observe readiness for action than action itself."

And, I suspect the gov't would also prefer to have it seen and reported than done quietly. Ask any cop about what's the most effective tool for preventing crime, and he'll reply "visible police presence". People drive better when they see police cars. Crooks looking for a house (or pedestrian) to rob will skedaddle when they see a prowl car slowly cruise down the street.

Likewise, routine tasks like refuelings -- that normally happen much to high to see -- may be happening at "eye level" now to provide a visible deterrent to the vermin who might be tempted to attack us.