SWANTON, Ohio (WWJ) - Dubbed "the sound of freedom" by military and aircraft enthusiasts, the 180th Fighter Wing said residents in Southeast Michigan and beyond can expect to hear sonic booms on Wednesday as jets perform check flights.
The 180th Fighter Wing, a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard stationed at Toledo Air National Guard Base is the only F-16 fighter wing in the state of Ohio -- they are expected to conduct two functional check flights on February 21 between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and again between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. weather permitting.
"A functional check flight is conducted following heavy maintenance on the aircraft, putting the aircraft through strenuous testing and maneuvers to ensure all systems of the aircraft function properly and ensuring mission readiness, before putting the aircraft back into operation rotation," the unit explain on their social media page.
The flights are expected to take place above the Ottawa, Findlay and Lima areas of Ohio, but the unit said residents across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan may hear a sonic boom once supersonic speeds are reached.
"The 180th Fighter Wing appreciates the continued support from the citizens of Ohio as we continue to train in support of our mission," unit officials added.
The announcement comes almost a year after Michiganders living in Allen Park, Monroe, Riverview, Newport and more all reported hearing the signature boom of the unit's fighter jets, which came as a shock for many.
Some residents even called the police, fearing military conflict in Ukraine had come to their backyards.
"It would have been nice if we had a warning here in southern Wayne County Michigan," one poster said on facebook. "People are a little freaked out with everything going on in the world."
"I thought we were getting blown up!!" another comment said on social media. "I live super close to Fermi and when I tell you I was shook... I was literally shaking."
The unit said they try to push their schedules through on social media and through local news outlets but, "not everyone gets the message."
A spokesperson said following the unit's social media pages will keep residents current on flight exercises and schedules.