Just Witnessed Possible CAP Flight Intercept

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

[Lazamataz]

With 49,950 of those pairs of eyes glued to a computer screen!

Point your screen towards the window. Unless you have glare control, you should be able to see a reflection.

[longshadow]

but I wonder if they would re-fuel like that at such low altitude, and over such a highly populated area.

Refueling is typically done in standard refueling "tracks" where the tanker flies around a large, four-cornered "race-course" shaped trajectory in the sky whilst thirsting aircraft line up to be "serviced."

It makes no sense for this to be done over a populated area, or at low altitude, except in some unusual emergency situation.

[SamAdams76]

It could well be mid-air refueling. The Boston Herald printed pictures a couple of weeks ago showing mid-air refueling over Manhattan. Apparently F-16s are patrolling the major cities 24/7 these days.

[psalm37]

My home is fairly elevated (we've got hills here), and faces due South. I was in the backyard putting away the garbage cans, looked up, to the East, and saw all this happen. I moved from the back yard to the front yard through the East-side yard, never losing sight of this occurance. This help?

[Lady Jag]

The intense light was probably a landing light. Are you near the airport?

[psalm37]

Maybe they were running an escort with a VIP Military plane.

Could be, but wouldn't you think they'd have been with that VIP plane all along, instead of just catching up with it?

[Cyber Liberty]

"Your breath isn't that bad..... ;^)"

You better ask the Slippy one about that...

[Cagey]

This help?

Yes, it does. Thanks.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I hope we don't hear about any cattle mutilations on the eastern seaboard... that would be too weird... ;0)

Just kidding. I wouldn't be surprised if it was, A. a refueling, or B. some drunk on a flight, & pilot asked for an escort... :0)

[Ligeia]

I read earlier it's the Virginia Air National Guard that's providing air cover around here.

[psalm37]

The intense light was probably a landing light. Are you near the airport?

This is possible, but not likely. As I said, I saw the light from behind and to the left of the aircraft. I would guess their altitude to have been low enough to be in a landing pattern, but not low enough to be on an approach. Planes on approach to Reagan National often pass over the house low enough to distinguish the airline.

[DainBramage]

Could also be a whole squadron transfering somewhere else with support crew and maintanence in a larger aircraft.

[psalm37]

By the way, since 9/11, once airliners were allowed back inside the Beltway, they ALWAYS have every available light bulb turned on. I've been thinking they are probably now required to do that.

Also, the CAPs usually fly at MUCH higher altitude, and at MUCH higher speed.

[nunya bidness]

You should get over to the Eastern Shore. It's like an airshow over the Chesapeake.

Those afterburners sure are purty.

[psalm37]

Could also be a whole squadron transfering somewhere else with support crew and maintanence in a larger aircraft

Maybe, but I only saw three of them. Who knows... yet.

[VMI70]

and moose...maybe some moose.

[Diddle E. Squat]

This being FR, I say it was some kind of UFO, involving Condit, Clinton, a Rothschild, and the war on drugs.

Probably flying in a Trojan Moose filled with tiny Chinese for a weekend coup.

[The Raven]

Slippy one?

[best not to ask?]

I think I'll check out late night Freeping just once. Mornings are too business like

[Channel_Islands_EANx_Diver]

Ah, Laz, you know we've had respect as a breaking news forum since "quidam" had his run here in 98'

Bwhaaaaaa

[psalm37]

I just moved back inside the Beltway from Virginia's Northern Neck. I lived on the Rappahannock, about 10 miles up-river from the Bay. Gorgeous place to be and live!

I used to see all sorts of military hardware floating and flying by. The most bizarre were giant gray hovercraft that would come up the river day, or night, would sit and idle near our home for between 1/2 hour and 1 hour, then hover back down-river again.

Also, when the aircraft fly up the river, they're not too shy about it - they fly very low, very fast, usually in pairs. Once I saw a pair fly UNDER the Rt. 3 bridge!