Ok sorry for the vague title, but over the last 2 weeks ive noticed alottttt of military aircraft over southern nj and in my home town, two weeks ago today i was in Wildwood Nj, IN my parents condo, 2 f18's flew over and then banked hard over the beach and went back the other direction and then no crap proceded to break the sound barrier, then a week later in central pa im driving down a rural highway, and got buzzed by a fighter jet eaither an f15 or an f18, no crap about 100 feet or 200 feet off the ground fully armed, i then got to the store where i had a job at, left that store got to interstate 80 and the same jet flew over the highway, really low and fast, a few days later an a10 warthog flew over the same stretch of highway, then today 3 a10 warthogs flew over lockhaven pa sorry for the bad gramer but what is going on ? ive also seen weird lights at night here in lockhaven

"Either an F-15, or F/A-18"

Hmmmm...I could understand a confusion with an F-16 and an F/A-18E/F, but an F-15? How could you assess that the craft that flew over the condo were F/A-18's, but you couldn't assess in the car? If you didn't see them, they could be anything!

Okay, I'm done picking.

You live in an area near a production facility for starters...not only that, but several airforce bases, and a gunnery range. Training has likely started in that region. What? Did you think all of it was Red Flag?

Not sure how they're "weird aircraft", they're perfectly normally to me!

The aircraft are likely armed, but are weapons safe. I believe it's against military law for them to fly over a populated area with weapons unlocked. So while it may have been loaded, I doubt it was "armed". Altitude assumption, that's something that makes me laugh to this day...200 feet? At 200 feet, the plane is prone to slam into a building, I doubt they touched that low unless they were preparing to land.

[edit on 5.8.2008 by Shugo]

I also have seen alot of activity over Ocean City ,Maryland !(all high altitude ,nothing low ) The fact is that I am outside all year long ,and no the difference between civilian and military a/c ! There has been alot more movement since the summer has begun . Just to let you no ,I've worked on the F-111D,F-4C,F-4D,F-15C&D,and F-16A&B as a weapons crew chief for 8 years active duty in the airforce.1976-1984

Originally posted by Shugo
"Either an F-15, or F/A-18"

Hmmmm...I could understand a confusion with an F-16 and an F/A-18E/F, but an F-15? How could you assess that the craft that flew over the condo were F/A-18's, but you couldn't assess in the car? If you didn't see them, they could be anything!

Okay, I'm done picking.

You live in an area near a production facility for starters...not only that, but several airforce bases, and a gunnery range. Training has likely started in that region. What? Did you think all of it was Red Flag?

Not sure how they're "weird aircraft", they're perfectly normally to me!

The aircraft are likely armed, but are weapons safe. I believe it's against military law for them to fly over a populated area with weapons unlocked. So while it may have been loaded, I doubt it was "armed". Altitude assumption, that's something that makes me laugh to this day...200 feet? At 200 feet, the plane is prone to slam into a building, I doubt they touched that low unless they were preparing to land.

[edit on 5.8.2008 by Shugo]

Can i pick too heheh why would u get confused between an f-18 and a f-16 .. the f-18 has twin tail and the f-16 has a single tail fin. Plus the f-16 has one jet intake and the f-18 has two. However the f-15 also has two tail fins and two jet intakes. Unless im reading wrong, heheh im done picking now but honestly i dont mean for the post to be nasty.

How id love to have so much jet activity over my house, but here in the UK we dont get much, maybe the odd Apache or Chinook flying over but thats it

Central PA here,

Been seeing one to four A-10's lately, LOW. Almost daily

close to TMI

saw some fighters lately too, looked like trainers, F-5 Tigers I think, low and fast

weird

lots of heli's at night too, can't see then but sound like hueys?

just info

I am from that area. Family along Lock Haven to Dubois area (Interstate 80) and up to the New York Border.

But, I grew up in a town called Emporium (Cameron County-North Central PA). What I can tell you, from what I was told. (I am in Law Enforcement and was stationed in Emporium for 4 years). Also, a fraternity brother of mine became a Marine Pilot and flew there often.

Those flights go those routes for flying practice because of the mountain ranges (high and tight down the river valleys). Also, there are radar towers capable of detecting them (they are to avoid being detected).

This started due to the fact the Sylvania started in Emporium prior to WWII. Once the war started, the main plant made radar equipment/tubes etc. They built radar stations around the area etc.

My first experience was in the summer of 82. My friend had a camp on one of the mountain tops. One day, just laying around looking up at the sky, two fighters buzzed us. I swear I could have jumped up and touched them. Then came two C-130s a little later (higher up). We saw the paras jumping near the next mnt range. Came to learn that whole area (Clinton, Cameron, Elk, Potter, Clearfield counties) is (or was) considered one of the primo training areas for Spec Forces and attack aircraft.

I live close to south-central Harrisburg PA now (Hello Paratus) along the
Juniata river. I only see commerical airliners there. I only see military craft close to TMI and Fort Indiantown Gap PA. Both have airfileds used by the military so that isn't uncommon (and the Gap is an official Air/Ground gunnery range).

Anyway OP. No biggie for that activity in the Central Pa area. Common. Best time is in the summer to catch a lot of action.

Don't forget about Macguire AFB in central/southern NJ. I've watched a lot of c-5's, C-17's and A-10's flying over the beach house over the years here in NJ. Wouldn't think anything strange of it.