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SEATTLE -- F-15 fighter jets scrambled from Portland to deal with an unknown aircraft that had entered restricted air space over Western Washington caused two sonic booms that were heard across a wide swath of the region, the FAA reported Tuesday.
Several calls from worried residents from Olympia to Edmonds flooded emergency dispatchers and the KOMO Newsroom reporting two distinct explosions that rattled windows and shook homes around 1:50 p.m.
The FAA had restricted a large area to aircraft over Seattle due to President Obama's visit.
A spokesman with the Oregon Air National Guard said two F-15s from their 142nd Fighter Wing were scrambled on a "real world mission" from their base at Portland International Airport but could not elaborate on what the mission entailed.
Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department says that the boom has brought down 911 service across parts of Pierce County.
Originally posted by 1curious1
reply to post by Chamberf=6
"Also confirmed by the FAA is that airspace was breached in a closed-fly zone in the Seattle area due to the President's presence in downtown Seattle, and the aircraft were dispatched out of Portland.
KIRO radio is reporting the craft that violated the no-fly zone was a seaplane that landed at Kenmore Sea Port."
New York: Is Air Force One always escorted by fighter jets? How many?
Kenneth Walsh: No, it is actually very unusual for Air Force One to be escorted by fighter jets. On 9/11 there were fighter escorts almost all day -- especially after the initial hour or two, but it is rare. The reason is that it is considered too hazardous to fly fighter jets through heavily trafficked American skies. Whatever security benefit there might be is offset by concerns about creating hazards for civilian aircraft.
Originally posted by tsi1991awd
Only thing on my mind is why the hell didn't they send jets from Fort Lewis or McChord????
Originally posted by harrytuttle
reply to post by tsi1991awd
Doesn't the Washington National Guard have F-15's in Seattle they could have scrambled? I guess at Mach 2 it would only take jets from Portland like 12 minutes to get to Seattle, but still seems foolish.
Originally posted by doctor j and inmate c5779
No the 2 booms were allegedly caused by the 2 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the seaplane. It was probably one of the seaplane taxis people use to get to and from work and UW campus and it was probably on its normal flight path. Must`ve not got the memo or somethin.
Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com
Originally posted by LadySkadi
Redundant
[edit on 17-8-2010 by LadySkadi]