The Oregon Air National Guard apologizes for the ‘unintended’ sonic boom on the coast

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SALEM, Oregon (Associated Press) – The sonic boom that caused widespread concern on the Oregon coast that the earthquake earlier this week was caused by an aircraft “unintentionally exceeded the speed of sound,” Oregon military officials say.

The 142nd Wing of the Oregon National Guard said on Wednesday that the sound barrier on Tuesday was caused by aircraft.

Staff Sgt. Stephen Conklin, a spokesman for the 142nd Wing, said the Army is authorized to fly at supersonic speeds 15 miles behind the coast, but pilots should not point the nose of the aircraft toward the coast.

Wing 142 apologized in a Facebook post for causing concern to coastal residents.

The 142nd Wing posted on Facebook: “During this exercise, we inadvertently went at hypersonic speeds, and made a sonic boom as we pointed slightly toward the coast while we were more than 15 miles from land.” “We understand this has caused concern to our coastal residents and for that we sincerely apologize.”

Conklin said the plane was a one-pilot F-15C and a two-person F-15D Eagle.

While speeds fluctuate during training, “it is not uncommon for them to become supersonic during basic combat maneuvers, sometimes referred to as dogfighting,” he said.

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