SWANTON, Ohio — Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing is set to perform nighttime training flights from Monday, March 6 through Thursday, March 9, if the weather permits. Area residents should expect to see and hear F-16 fighter jets, including the use of flares, taking off, and landing until approximately 9:00 p.m.
While training flights typically happen during the day, F-16 pilots and maintenance personnel must conduct night operations as part of their overall readiness training.
On Monday, March 6, the 180th Fighter Wing will conduct an air defense exercise over the Hillsboro and Chillicothe, Ohio areas between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Those residing in and around the Hillsboro and Chillicothe, Ohio areas may hear and/or see fighter jets in close proximity to a Civil Air Patrol aircraft, which will act as a Track of Interest (TOI). A TOI is an aircraft identified as a potential threat.
While the exercise is planned to take place in the Military Operating Airspace in the Southern Ohio area, inclement weather may lead to relocation, delay, or cancellation of the exercise. In such cases, the training will take place in the Military Operating Airspace in Northeast Michigan, in and around the Elkton, Bad Axe, and Cass City areas.
The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate response and coordination procedures. Although scheduled for the afternoon, the exercise flights could be relocated, delayed, or canceled due to inclement weather.