WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Some people across Central Georgia may have been startled Friday afternoon after hearing a loud boom, but there is no need to panic.
In fact, someone has already admitted responsibility for the startling noise: Robins Air Force Base.
That loud boom was, in fact, a sonic boom from a F-15 fighter jet. In a Facebook post, Robins Air Force Base says it happened over Central Georgia at around 3:30 p.m.
We've seen people discuss hearing the sonic boom in Twiggs County, Jones County, Monroe County and many other areas here in Central Georgia.
But according to a Robins Airforce Base spokesperson, it was part of a regularly scheduled test flight for fighter jets that recently underwent maintenance.
After the base conducts any repairs or modifications, they need to test these aircraft to ensure they are properly maintained. Part of that, they say, is to take the plane supersonic over Central Georgia.
A resource guide from Robins Air Force Base outlines the test flight's path and the stretch of the test flight where the sonic boom typically occurs. They say it starts east of Columbus Georgia and ends just west of Eastman.
While the boom only occurs once, they say "the sound is dragged from the beginning of the run to the end" which means it can be heard throughout Central Georgia.
While they don't know exactly where the sonic boom happened, a spokesperson for Robins Air Force Base says that who can hear the boom depends on the conditions on the day of the test flight, but they try to provide notice when one of the tests happens.
Additionally, the resource guide from the Air Force says they try to minimize the impact of the sonic boom by flying at least 39,000 feet in the air, which is over 7 miles up.
While sonic booms can cause minor damage from time to time, the Air Force has some options for people affected. You can contact the Robins Air Force Base's Public Affairs wing at 478-926-2137. They also ask you to have the time, date and the extent of any damage before you call.
So next time you hear a loud boom out of nowhere, who knows? It could be an Air Force test pilot ensuring America's fighter jets are ready for action.
