Sonic Booms In The Alamagordo Area (And NM Area) (Albuquerque: homes, living in)

[domino]

I may be showing my age, but I remember sonic booms ocurring more frequently. Not a regular ocurrence, but we all knew what it was when we heard it. I haven't heard one in many, many years.

[lawmom]

My hair stylist asked me today if we heard it and was shocked that we didn't. I told her it must be because I was trying to get the kids to bed -- we were having our own sonic boom here at home.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by domino

I may be showing my age, but I remember sonic booms ocurring more frequently. Not a regular ocurrence, but we all knew what it was when we heard it.

Those of us who live in the Ruidoso area have long been "treated" to sonic booms from Holloman's and other aircraft. But those booms were sharp - like a cannon shot. Ever since the F-22's moved into Holloman, the booms are lower in frequency and last longer - not the sharp "bang" as in the past. There have been a couple of times in the past few months when there were series of booms - as many as six or so in a short period of time. So far I haven't heard one after dark - either then or now.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by domino

I may be showing my age, but I remember sonic booms ocurring more frequently. Not a regular ocurrence, but we all knew what it was when we heard it. I haven't heard one in many, many years.

Over the years, FCC laws, rule and regulations have been create to supress sonic booms as well as military regulations...

Yep, I remember when I was a kid hearing sonic booms more often.

There are even speed limits in the sky...



Rich

[Poncho_NM]

Good initial call Mike!

[funkymonkey]

At first I thought it was an explosion. It sounded a bit like that house that exploded a year or two back.

[jaxart]

In today's news:

OFFICIALS WITH THE 49TH FIGHTER WING HAVE ANNOUNCED HOLLOMAN IS CURRENTLY HOSTING AN AERIAL EXERCISE INVOLVING A NUMBER OS AIRCRAFT. THE EXERCISE, WHICH IS TAKING PLACE OVER PORTIONS OF WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE AIRSPACE, WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FRIDAY THE 22ND.

ARLAN PONDERS FROM THE 49TH FIGHTER WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE SAYS “ WITH AN EXERCISE OF THE SCOPE, WE REALIZE THERE WILL BE SOME IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITIES IN OTERO, LINCOLN AND DONA ANA COUNTIES. HOLLOMAN OFFICIALS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SONIC BOOM EXPERIENCED OVER OTERO AND DONA ANA COUNTIES ON THE EVENING OF JAN 14TH WAS RELATED TO THE EXERCISE. IN ADDITION TO SONIC BOOMS AND LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT, RESIDENTS COULD ALSO EXPERIENCE MILITARY PERSONNEL DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH LOCAL AREAS DURING THE DAY OR EARLY EVENING. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FLYING SCHEDULES YOU GO TO THE HOLLOMAN WEB SITE.

[T-Race320]

It shook our whole house in Mesilla. It sounded like a propane (or something) explosion, but with the shaking, we suspected earthquake. That is, until the news came on :P

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by T-Race320

It shook our whole house in Mesilla. It sounded like a propane (or something) explosion, but with the shaking, we suspected earthquake. That is, until the news came on :P

People around the region have also been reporting mysterious bright lights in the sky at night recently. And many are likely disappointed that they aren't alien spaceships this time either. The military has been conducting top-secret maneuvers at night incorporating the "Osprey" STOL aircraft. Spokesperson claimed there was NO information that would be forthcoming on exactly what they're up to but rumor is they're training for Special Ops mission to be carried out later somewhere.

(Speculation: Going after some Mexican drug lords, perhaps?)

[jaxart]

For those who wish to be prepared, here is the published schedule for possible SONIC BOOMS this coming week, beginning Feb 1, 2010:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_14304344