Heard rumbling over Columbia? This is why military jets will fly here for weeks
That rumbling in the sky above Columbia isn’t cause for concern.
It’s from fighter jets with the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing that have been seen — and heard — above Columbia and the Lake Murray area.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets have temporarily adjusted their training airspace, Senior Master Sgt. Ed Snyder told The State Thursday. The military flights in the area are expected to continue for the next several weeks, according to Snyder.
The air traffic route change took place a few days ago, and the S.C. Air National Guard wanted to clear the air over any worries.
“Due to some current limitations on the availability of training airspace, we’ve had to adjust where we conduct our training,” Col. Akshai Gandhi, commander of the 169th Fighter Wing, said in a news release. “For the time being, residents not accustomed to seeing our magnificent aircraft in flight may have the opportunity to do so as we continue flight operations departing and returning to McEntire (Joint National Guard Base).”
McEntire is near Eastover in Richland County.
Snyder said his office has received calls about the increased air traffic, but they have been supportive.
This is not the first time the Swamp Foxes have trained over Columbia and Lake Murray, but they try to avoid training flights over highly-populated areas, Snyder said.
“We appreciate the understanding of our neighbors here in the surrounding areas of Columbia and Richland County for recognizing the important role our base plays in our nation’s defense and support of state emergency response efforts,” Gandhi said. “That being said, every measure to reduce the amount of noise associated with the continued training of our pilots has been taken.”
The training is to keep the base’s pilots, nicknamed the Swamp Foxes, ready for any combat missions, according to the release.
The unit also provides “around-the-clock Aerospace Control Alert for the defense of our homeland,” and is prepared to respond to state and national emergencies.
Recently airmen and soldiers of the South Carolina National Guard teamed up with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control to deliver much-needed medical supplies to all 46 counties as the state continues its fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.
This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 2:45 PM.
