U.S. Air Force Maj. Phillip McCoy, an F-16 fighter pilot assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, climbs into an F-16 Fighting Falcon before a training flight at the 180FW in Swanton on Jan. 24, 2023. The 180FW is the only F-16 fighter wing in the state of Ohio, whose mission is to provide for America; protection of the homeland, effective combat power and defense support to civil authorities, while developing Airmen, supporting their families and serving in our community.
Photo courtesy of Senior Airman Kregg York, U.S. Air National Guard
SWANTON — Residents throughout Northwest Ohio may hear a sonic boom today, as the 180th Fighter Wing will conduct a “functional check flight” from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The actual flight will take place around Bowling Green and Toledo, but people beyond those areas may hear a sonic boom once supersonic speeds are reached, according to the 180th Fighter Wing.
A functional test flight checks an aircraft following heavy maintenance, putting it through strenuous testing and maneuvers to be sure it’s functioning properly and ready for a mission before returning to operational duty. The flights typically occur above 30,000 feet of altitude.
