Two F-15c Eagle fighter jets from the 142nd Fighter Wing based out of Portland conducted maneuvers above Lincoln City at approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The two fighter jets were conducting visual flight rules (VFR) over Lincoln City for a few minutes which caused a stir on social media with concerned citizens asking why the jets were lingering in the area.
“We will be discussing this with the pilots upon their return to the base,” Oregon Military Department Director of Public Affairs Stephen Bomar said.
VFR is direct sight flight training not utilizing aircraft instruments.
Bomar said the location of the aircraft for the maneuvers may have been off due to not using instruments as part of the exercise.
“We appreciate your patience and continued support as [pilots] train to protect the skies of the Pacific Northwest,” he said.
VFR on Wikipedia:
Visual flight rules (VFR) are a set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. The pilot must be able to operate the aircraft with visual reference to the ground, and by visually avoiding obstructions and other aircraft.
From the 142nd Fighter Wing’s website:
The 142nd Fighter Wing is the home to Oregon Air National Guard’s Redhawks. Our mission is to provide unequalled, mission ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime taskings any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.
Well done, Justin!
Thank you, Justin. No one else let us know what this was. It was horrifying to say the least! Great reporting!!
Oh for the love of Moses! “Horrifying?” This has happened before and it will happen again. Go outside and watch. There were enough breaks in the clouds to see the planes. The drill is a necessary part of our country’s defense. Instead, of being alarmed, use your critical thinking skills and be grateful that these men were up in the air during the Holiday Season.
I would use the word terrifying rather than horrifying. I heard a sudden loud noise, my wife was startled.
Sudden unexpected noises are not “good”
It took a second or two to process the noises, work out what it was and calm down. But criticising people for having a startle response is not nice.
I am not sure that the drill over inhabited areas is a necessary part of the country’s defence, nor do I see why I should be grateful for them flying during “the holiday season”.
A startled response is understandable. But “horrified”? Horrified is a post event reaction. Besides, drills in inhabited areas happen every day. Educate yourself. And, yes. Show some gratitude. It’s proven to be good for your physical and mental health.
I agree with you Joyce! The noise and not being able to see them or even determine how many there actually were did give me a few nervous moments, which I do not feel was an overreaction given the state of our country today.
Thanks Denise and Adam. Our entire area up in the hills was completely covered by clouds. One neighbor sent me a message thinking we were being attacked. We couldn’t see a thing. Our house is tall and I thought it was an airplane in distress.