Marion County, Florida: Mystery flights are special ops training exercise

The aircraft, which have been buzzing the area since Saturday, are coming from the University Air Center at the Gainesville Regional Airport as part of a larger training exercise in South Florida conducted by the U.S. Special Operations Command, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, said Maj. Mike Burns, a public affairs spokesman for the command.

The flights out of Gainesville encompass between four to eight aircraft and are made up of Black Hawks and Chinooks, Burns said.

The Chinooks, a heavy-bodied helicopter, have distinctive tandem rotor blades. Black Hawks are smaller and are the military's go-to utility helicopter. Both have big engines and typically fly low in combat situations, which are what the exercises are simulating.

The Special Operations Command oversees special operations of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.

"There are no exercises in the Ocala area, but Ocala is directly in the transit route," said Burns, who would not specifically say why aircraft were taking off from Gainesville for exercises in the Miami area.

A press releases issued by Miami Dade County advises that the exercise includes the use of military helicopters and simulated gunfire. The training is meant to prepare participants for combat missions in urban areas and to prepare forces for upcoming overseas missions, according to the release.

A multitude of Marion County residents have reported being awakened or disturbed by the low-flying aircraft. Some have reported seeing fixed wing aircraft as part of the low flights, but Burns said any fixed wing aircraft as part of the operation are flying at between 30,000 feet and 40,000 feet

Bob Cook, who lives near Baseline Road and Fort King Street, said he was frightened when he saw the aircraft come over his home Saturday.

"I turned and ran. That's not right what they are doing," he said.

Cook said the aircraft were no more than 150 feet above the ground and whipped the tree tops with their propeller wash.

Burns did not say how low the aircraft were flying, but did say they were within Federal Aviation Administration compliance.

"Sometimes when people are not used to seeing or hearing those type of aircraft they seem a lot closer than they are," he said.

Some locals also reported seeing the aircraft flying without lights.

Burns said some of them do fly without lights because, "We are trying to simulate a combat experience as closely as possible."

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