Sonic booms rattle Interior residents
Noise is part of Red Flag exercise
Published Friday, April 11, 2008
Digg
del.icio.us
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!The skies above Fairbanks are alive with the sound of sonic booms.
The U.S. Air Force has received more than 40 complaints regarding sonic booms produced Monday and Tuesday around Fairbanks as a result of training exercises being conducted out of Eielson Air Force Base.
It’s the highest number of complaints the Air Force has ever received during air combat exercises, according to Lt. Byron McGarry in Eielson’s public affairs office.
“It’s unprecedented,” he said.
One sonic boom was reported Monday evening, and three were reported Tuesday evening, McGarry said. The booms were heard from Fairbanks to Delta, he said.
The Air Force has scheduled a news conference at Eielson today to address the number of complaints, McGarry said.
“Our goal is to accomplish the mission goals while being good stewards to the environment and community,” he said.
Some aircraft operating in the training exercises are required to operate at supersonic speeds during missions to optimize training realism and to test aircraft capabilities, according to a news release issued by the Air Force on Thursday.
All but one of the jets that produced the sonic booms — which are produced when planes exceed the speed of sound — were operating in supersonic-approved airspace above 30,000 feet, McGarry said.
In an effort to mitigate noise issues and coordinate better with the FAA on areas where supersonic travel is allowed, the Air Force encourages residents to call in noise complaints at 377-2116 or (800) JET-NOISE.
“We value those noise complaints,” McGarry said.
The training exercises, dubbed Red Flag-Alaska, will continue weekdays through April 18.
Contact staff writer Tim Mowry at 459-7587.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
OMG
The sonic booms weren't just "heard," they, especially the first one, rock my house like no other. The kids and animals and I were all there...I had glasses break!
Back in the early/mid 90's we pushed for, and the borough cut, a deal with the military over the low-flying planes here in Two Rivers. They weren't supposed to fly right over us here "downtown TR."
For a while, it wasn't too bad. The worst was back in around mid/late 90's when we were sonic boomed by the Stealth Bomber (flew up from North or South Dakota and returned w/o ever touching down-refueled in the air!). This was, surprisingly to me, 'cause I didn't think they'd admit it, confirmed by the Air Force. Where I live is an ideal turn-around spot in the air.
My kid practically got trampled by the horse she was on because it freaked and threw her.
But it is getting really bad these last years. And these last days it has been consistent. I know my house needs work, but it sure rattles our cage. I'm glad to know others have called.
I would gladly sacrifice a few glasses and even quietness if the training excerises manage to save even one pilots life or those he may be supporting on the ground.
People really should just shrug it off and be proud to know that we have some of the finest pilots in the world honing there skills in our backyard...
The sonic booms don't happen everyday.
If your in an area subjected to the sonic booms then please be a bit more tolerant, OKAY?
I lived for 5 years in South Korea just about an hour North of Seoul. Everyday a spy plane would create a sonic boom in the area rattling the windows and twenty minutes later a second boom would occur once they returned. The first time it happened I thought this is it. The North has started it's invasion,LOL.
Later you get used to it and laugh at the reactions of the new personnel who for a fleeting moment you know they had the same thing go through there minds,,,I never once heard any of the local koreans complain (I asked my wife if she had ever heard anyone complain, she hadn't).
Just thought I would mention that should someone reply with, well you don't have to put up with it ,,,,,,so you shouldn't have a sa;..blah blah,,,,
Later on it becomes a normal event and not really given much thought.
We experienced several sonic booms in Delta. I call that "The Sound of Freedom"
Music to my ears,,, better "booms" than "bombs"
I love them, something that fast and that loud is too cool. Brings back memories=)
These guys can train over my house any time. How about calling the number and instead of complaining about the noise, THANKING the USAF for the blanket of security they provide?
Thankfully the sonic booms drown out the whining about polar bears, the gas line, liquor stores on South Cushman, and naming names in the Police blotter. As a retired Army pilot I can assure you that the booms will only occur between 8am and 5pm, since Air Force pilots only work banker's hours (just kidding).
I would gladly give the Air Force the GPS boundary coordinates for my property and let them boom over it all day long... Its freedom, its life saving training and its essential to our defense!
It's also really cool!
I don't mind the sonic booms, I just think they should have given us fair warning that they may happen. And they were not just during the evening, they also happened in the morning.
I live out here in Two Rivers as well, and we are getting 'boomed' daily. What I love the most (and so do my kiddos) is heading out after we get rattled by the first ones and then just laying in the snow and watching the skies to locate the other jets. When it first happened last year I had a neighbor run over and ask if we were ok...he thought that something had blown over here! hehe Kinda funny huh? Anyway, keep flying...we love ya!!
Yep, two in quick order. They rocked my house. Rattled a few dishes and gave me quite the shock. I knew in an instant what they were though. I accept this problem with open arms. Yes, I would call it the "Sound of Freedom". More importantly I recall a time when several thousand of us gathered at the Carlson Center to support Eielson. We won that fight and now we have more to deal with because of it. Not a problem. No issue here. We all have to do our share in this time of need. A few booms here and there is a small price to pay for those of us who do nothing more than go to our jobs each and everyday. I never served... so therefore I do not complain on something like this. This is exactly how we support our troops. Thank you again to those who have and those who are serving. I wish you a speedy, safe trip home.
There's a whole lot of country north of Fairbanks where the boys can play with their planes and make noise. I don't see why it is necessary to create sonic booms so close to the biggest population center in the interior.
Yeah, we have heard (felt) them too! One of them sounded like someone knocking down my door! My parents called me (the live next door to me) and I answered the phone with "what do you mean banging on my door and running?" and we had a good laugh! You know what? I'd just as soon them practice and protect and know exactly what the sound is, than worry about our safety here! The Air Force can rock my house anytime! Good on ya- and God bless ya!
Now that I know what that was, it gave quite a scare, and was quite the conversation piece here at work trying to figure out what that was, I also agree with the sound of freedom. I can't believe that people whine about things like this.
Security? Please! If the USA was ever seriously invaded, ALASKA and everything in it would be the first to be destroyed, with it's missile defense being the main target to take out! Don't get a false sense of security just because you hear and see jets flying over your head! It's cool, it's scary, it's the sound of freedom, it's music to my ears? It can all be over in an instant!
Take a pill, Allen. You are getting hysterical over something you imagine might happen but probably won't.
The other day two F-22 Raptor's flew over the place, what a cool sight to behold. They are some of the most modern fighter jets in the world today, and they belong to us.
I am not surprized at the short memories people seem to have.
It seems just like yesterday, the BRAC Base Closure and Realignment Commission had Eielson AFB in it's sights.
One of the main reasons Eielson AFB was kept open was for these joint training exercises.
My hats off to all the men and women that train hard to protect all us civilians out here.
Yeah este, I'm laughing hysterically! I'm not imagining it all, just simply stating that it can happen! I don't spend hours and days imagining the invasion of America and the destruction of Alaska! This is too funny!
I didn't hear a thing.
ps, thanks for the grin starman!
Eielson and Elmodorf Air Force have the PACT range area west of Chicken to use. This is their designated playground for supersonic training......... state of Alaska, hunters and residents have given up several rights to allow the Air Force to designate that area and continue to use that area. If Eielson wants to create sonic booms over our houses in North Pole - they need to give up the PACT range and it's restrictions. For Eielson to be creating these sonic booms makes me think the Air Force is only interested in the PACT range during caribou and moose season.
I think everyone who has complained in one way shape or form about the sonic booms should take a step back and re-think what theyre complaining about. The training is happenening 30,000+ feet about you. Just because theyre making noise, all of the sudden people feel its a HUGE distraction from their daily lives. None of it directly affects us. Oh so the lound noise woke you up at 8 in the morning. BIG DEAL!! Think about the people in Iraq that get woken up all hours of the night to mortars, gunshots, rockets, etc. You never hear them complain. And theyre doing it as service to this country and its citizens. So what a great way to thank them, whine and complain about a little noise theyre making while theyre training so they can survive over there. Just like TC Greywolf complaining about OH-58s flying over fairbanks. GET OVER IT!!
God Bless America. Because of the Booms you have the write to complain about the booms. Ironic isn't it.
I'm calling that 800 number and saying thanks. You all should too.
America's AIR POWER!!!
No thay dont complain in Iraq, thay just get killed by other Iraqs are the US military. Also lots of big booms up here in the Central, Circle area.
I dont mean the Iraqi people. I mean the US soldiers in Iraq dont complain. I tip my hat to the Air Force because theyre the ones who go in and clear the path before we go in. Thanks guys! We owe ya!
Hey Allen is right, vampires hit Barrow pretty hard this last winter. Next winter could be much worse.
And how about in June when the vampires return every year in insect form?
Ahh, Alaska. So peaceful, so quiet. ATV's, snow mobiles, air boats, airplanes, jet skis, traffic, and now sonic booms.
My husband once worked as civillian police officer on Ft. Wainwright. I rememeber a few occasions where he came home with tales of people filing similar complaints as these. North Pole and Fairbanks residents called to complain about helicopters flying over their houses late at night, waking their children, dogs, etc.. I wanted to write something then, but being a police officer's wife often means you don't get to voice your opinion publicly. But, what I wanted to say then, applies here as well. These are soldiers and airmen of the United States of America. If they dont fly these training missions all you gripy people will gripe when they are slaughtered in battle due to insufficient training.
The sonic boom I heard just an hour ago today cracked the windshield on my mother's car. It shook my older house and I heard cracking inside the walls. Am I concerned? Yes. Is it an annoyance? Sure. BUT, it is fascinating to hear the sound of a sonic boom, and feel it too-most of us will never be inside the cockpit, and this is our only taste...ALSO, it is for the benefit of our country to train in this manner. In Alaska, we have the privilege of hosting Red Flag like no other base in the world. We are remote still, and provide a better place than anywhere for this type of training.
Let 'em fly, guys, let them do their job-buy some new cups, a new windshield, and chalk it up to helping train a soldier, airman, etc.!
It is just sad that there even is a "800#" for that!!!
It's music to my ears...that beautiful sound of FREEDOM! Many thanks to the men and women serving our country.
The 'boom' from a fighter at mach is not nearly as annoying as the 'boom-boom' from some baggy pant wanna-be gangbanger ridin' around with a stereo cranked wide open.
Unfortunately, MBinAK's mother's auto insurance will probably pay for the new windshield. Likewise, various people's homeowner insurance will probably pay for the damage to their houses. Then, to cover the added cost of doing business in Alaska, the insurance companies will jack up the rates they charge all of us.
If you're gonna pay for the damage out of your own pocket, then great -- more power to ya. If you're gonna file an insurance claim, understand you're just passing the expense off on the rest of us.
As a few people have pointed, the military has remote areas specifically set aside for practicing military maneuvers. Let the jets use those areas instead of practicing over populated areas. If the jets need to practice full power take-offs, let them do it towards the east, in a direction away from Fairbanks, North Pole, and Two Rivers.
Or, let the military reactivate the Galena FOB. Yes, there's still a local civilian population but they're fewer so it would cost the Air Force less to repair any damage. (Plus, I'm sure the Galena people would welcome the added income from reopening the FOB, even temporarily for training.)
The 'Sound of Freedom'? Gimme a break. It's the sound of the U.S. military sucking up and wasting your tax money.
foxalaska - if that "baggy pant wanna-be gangbanger ridin' around with a stereo cranked wide open" happens to have a DoD sticker in the window, call the number listed in the article (or 353-2600 for Fort Wainwright) and report it. Those are the numbers for reporting any complaints with the military, not just sonic booms.
Be sure to gather as much information as you can; such as date, time, place, license number, vehicle description, et cetera; before making the call. The base or post commander will see the report and act on it, assuming you've provided enough information to identify the culprit. (Vague accusations will probably be ignored, mostly because of lack of information.)
BTW - Yes, I am a retired senior NCO and, no, I don't have any sympathy for GI's that act like annoying little brats in the local community ... didn't during my 20+ years of active duty and still don't.
Heh - reminds me of when I lived in Central FL and answered emergency phones - we'd always get a lot of calls when the space shuttle used the Central FL airspace path to land - I thought it was cool, too! :-) So, here's me at 2am trying to calm people down - "It's the SPACE SHUTTLE, Ma'am! The SPACE SHUTTLE!"
**grin**
Are you kidding me? "baggy pant wanna-be gangbanger ridin' around with a stereo cranked wide open" I am far from that and every now and then I can be found with my stereo cranked way up...way to totally stereotype that one. My little car booms just as much as those "wanna-be gangbanger"'s does. Ridiculous.
AKhusky, allen, SlyArcticFox:
GOD BLESS AMERICA... IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU CAN LEAVE!
I didn't hear a thing out in Fox. Strange how sound travels like thunder, and 20 miles north, silence. If any pilot can fly-over the Nenana bridge on April 30th, at 3:13 Alaska standard time, drop a sonic boom, hit the thrusters, and I'll split my share of the Ice Classic $$$.
3:13pm.
Brian - and the pilot would be sooooooo busted it'd take him (or her) years just to get back to the rank of Airman Basic ...
Cute idea, though. <big grin>
Give me a break, this is what we have to complain about. You live in a place that has an Army base and an Air Force base near by. Common sense says that you are going to hear Helicopters, Airplanes, Jets,etc. If you don't like it there is a solution - Move somewhere else. I am at a loss that there are actually people who can find it in themselves to complain about something like this. It's almost as bad as when the idiots who lived outside of Wainwright were complaining because they could hear the Bugle calls. You ought to be thatnkful that we have a military that is training and doing all it can to defend your rights to whine like you are.
I'm sorry all you sniveling whiners can't handle the noise or your so called broken glasses. You should feel fortunate that you have the ability to call a number and complain about our Armed Forces. Go to Israel or North Korea and complain about their military! See what that gets you!! The fact that there is a dedicated phone line for whiners like you is joke! Get a life and find something better to whine about such as why ATV's are riding down(YOUR) sled dog trails. That one always amuses me!
(This comment was removed by the Newsminer.com staff. Please see our User Agreement for further information.)
Hilarious! Like God is up in heaven just thinking, "You know, screw the rest of the countries in the world, I'm only going to bless America!" LMAO, for real!
sdoownek-
Before you cry "Foul!" to the Newsminer staff for removing your comment let it be known that I requested that your comment be removed. Your disrespectful, judgmental, and derogatory comments were highly offensive and uncalled for. It is unfortunate that you are so busy snubbing anyone who chooses to live differently than you or believes differently than you. If you were to open your mind you might "allow" yourself to be exposed to good people with kind hearts. You seem to imply that your "education" is justification for intolerance and ignorance. I, for one, am glad that you "live on the other side of town". I certainly wouldn't want you as my neighbor. I will not tell you that because I don't like what you have to say that you should "just leave". I will, however, remind you that it is because of those "military people in general" and their "fat military wives" that you have the freedom to spew your intolerance on this forum.
It's too bad that the comment was removed. It served as a good reminder that not everybody has hopped on the bandwagon with their eyes glued shut. There IS a lot of intolerable behavior from the military population and if it is brought to light, there's a chance it might change.
I am a Two Rivers resident and have noticed the booms have been happening more frequently out here in the past few years. They can be quite startling and remarkably loud. I don't think anyone should have to put up with "jumping out of one's skin" whenever this happens, freedom notwithstanding. Sonic booms are not allowed over other residential areas elsewhere and neither should they be permitted here.
heh heh heh. This is fun.
It wasn't libelous or slanderous.
It wasn't tortious. (It could have been torturous for some, though!)
It could be argued that it was defamatory, but that's subjective.
It wasn't ethnically objectionable, racist, or otherwise hateful
It wasn't inappropriately sexual, but again, that's subjective.
It wasn't a baseless personal attack, as it didn't name anyone.
I wasn't trying to sell anything.
I didn't repeat myself.
It wasn't illegal material, nor did it infringe upon the rights of another.
It wasn't a solicitation.
That leaves the following:
* completely off-topic material
Which it admittedly was, and also why I assume it was removed. However, now that you've commented on why you chose to complain to the DNM, the topic has, as many others have, changed a bit.
* or any other material that infringes on the ability of others to enjoy our forums.
Also subjective, but that's throwing a pretty wide net to remove anything they want to. Which is fine....it's their playground, they make the rules.
However, If anyone would like to leave the news-miner .com site and see a copy of what I posted, feel free to click here:
http://www.frankenhost.com/newsminer_com...
Understanding that by doing so, you're leaving the newsminer .com site, and they are no longer responsible for the content.
(DNM staff, know this, however; If this post is removed, I will cry foul. If distantthunder can "flash/rumble", I could also post something at the end of every one of mine. Just a thought.)
There is a lot of intolerable behavior from this community in general. Alaska has some of the highest domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, and suicide rates in the nation... Try as you may, you can not attribute all of that to the "military population". For the record, most of that comment from sdoownek was not focused towards the military community. It was, however, berating all the "low-income", "uneducated", "paycheck to paycheck", "overweight", "diesel truck driving", etc. residents of this community (as perceived by sdoownek).
As you pointed out, I never attributed any of the things you mention to the military infestation^w, population.
Snarky, snarky, snarky.
Personally, a sonic boom is one of my fav sounds (course I did spend 20 years and 6 days in the Air Force.) Think it's bad here, at Eglin AFB, Fl the booms were a daily occurence. For those here who had damage caused by the sonic boom I am sure the Air Force will expediadite any claims you have - and if you just want to whine and gripe and complain they will listen to you too!
sdoownek: Are you sure that you live in Fairbanks? Where is this peaceful, junk-free paradise where everyone takes showers and has a college degree?
I find it highly amusing that the first time someone posts a dissenting comment, all the God-fearing, Republican-voting, red-white-and-blue bleeding, flag-waving, NRA-supporting conservatives come out of the woodwork with "if you don't like America, you can leave."
You all talk about Glod Bess America, and how great it is to be free, but the first time someone doesn't share your same love of the military, they're branded unpatriotic.
That's what freedom in our country is all about -- the opportunity to express a different opinion.
Do I just get giddy over hearing sonic booms over my house? No. And it's my right to voice my opinion.
Militarybrat23, sdoownek's comments should not have been deleted. They were neither deragotory, nor judgmental, nor disrepectful. They were pretty spot-on if you ask me.
And he -- or she -- has every right to post them. Now that deserves a God Bless America.
Could someone give me a tangible example of how my right to comment in the DNM is protected by the U.S. military? Tangible, not rhetorical, please.
The last time I checked, I was pretty darn good at defending my own liberties.
Posting in the DNM is more of a privilege than a right. Maybe I'm just missing the point?
Point taken. Could someone give me a tangible example of how my freedom to comment in the DNM is protected by the U.S. military? Tangible, not rhetorical, please.
NOW that I know its a SONIC BOOM, Im ok with it. Just try telling my baby and my dog, who were both scared!!! I thought it was air trapped in my house pipes, or maybe a small earthquake. My house SHHOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKK REAAAALLLLLLYYY bad, and I admit I was a little scared too. If I had some sort of warning it MAY happen, then all would be well. Then again, living near 2 bases, I guess thats warning enough!!!
Whatever.
If you guys had a kid or someone you cared about trampled (as I said, it barely didn't happen [that sounds funny, but...]), or something, bet you wouldn't be so thrilled.
But it could happen. Perhaps tomorrow. Who knows. The booms are incredibly startling to say the least. Want to buy a horse? What use if ya can't enjoy it?
As has been pointed out, there are plenty of other areas for the air force to sonic boom.
As an aside to the poster who said something about the "mushing trails," I couldn't agree more. But that's another issue.
I will say that there are still some of us in Two Rivers who have been here long enough before military sonic booms and the takeover of dog mushers--and like wannabes--became the norm.
For the record, I don't have a problem with the old-school mushers.
Like the military used to be--and my dad was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, a fighter pilot in Korea...I use his '57 flight suit as my winter gear and it's the best--the old schoolers just seem to have more consideration of their neighbors.
...if nothing else, this is a good opportunity to brush up on the explanation of a sonic boom. Freakin' cool.
The NM printed an article about this a little over a week ago (or so). I know we all read the NM. Why is everyone saying they had no warning?
I do agree though that its a really big state and there's probably somewhere else they could be doing it.
I haven't heard it yet, I hope I didn't miss all the fun.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.