WOOD COUNTY, Ohio — A "loud boom" heard throughout northwest Ohio Thursday afternoon was an F-16 fighter jet breaking the sound barrier during testing, the Swanton-based 180th Fighter Wing said.
The 180th Fighter Wing posted the following statement to Facebook Thursday night:
"Did you hear us today when we were out and about?
At approximately 5:20 p.m., an F-16 fighter jet assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing broke the sound barrier, causing a sonic boom over the Northwest Ohio area. The sonic boom was a result of a functional check flight.
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 operational rotation.
The 180th Fighter Wing appreciates the continued support from the citizens of Ohio as we continue to train in support of our mission."
The Wood County Sheriff's Office confirmed shortly after the sonic boom was heard that it was from the 180th Fighter Wing, and that there was no emergency.
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