Increased Military Aircraft Activity Happening Now Over 22 Wisconsin Counties
Over 20 counties in Wisconsin will be hearing increased air traffic and jet noises as a big operation is underway.
Related: Fighter Jet You Normally Don't See Spotted Over Duluth
The Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center is hosting its annual Northern Lightning Counterland exercise now through August 16th, 2024. The event will involve 1100 personnel from 19 Air Force, National Guard, and Marine Corps units.
The goal of the training is to provide exceptional training in today's air battle space with current and future weapons platforms. Lt. Col Michael Cady says this year's exercise will build on last year's success in training against what he described as The Department of Defense's pacing threat, China.
Participating in the exercises will be some of the world's most advanced aircraft, including the F-35A, F-35C, and F-16s from multiple bases across the country. Some of the squadrons are coming as far as California. Others include regional air guard bases like the 115th Fighter Wing from Madison, Wisconsin, and the 179 Fighter Squadron from Duluth.
The general public will see an increase in aircraft activity around the Camp Douglas area from August 5-16. They say people living in the following counties can anticipate increased operations, noises, and even in some cases sonic booms:
Adams, Brown, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Outagamie, Portage, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Waupaca, Winnebago, and Wood.
The FAA has approved the aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds above 30,000 feet, according to WKOW.com.
Read more about the Northern Lightning training exercise from the Wisconsin National Guard Press Release.
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