Update | 7:17 p.m.
Airfield maintenance worker Chris O’Brien was on the job while the F-18s were on the ground and shared these photos and a video he shot of one fighter’s takeoff from the tarmac.
Original post | 6:23 p.m.
A pair of Marine fighter jets boomed through Juneau on Wednesday.
“F-18s came through,” said Juneau Airport Manager Patty Wahto. “They landed just before noon today. And came in, get some fuel, some lunch, and they were on their way up to Fairbanks.”
Wahto says it’s not that uncommon for military aircraft pass through the airport.
I called around to some of the area military bases to find out more. By deadline, a spokesperson with Eielson Air Force Base was able to confirm they were Marine F-18s, but didn’t know where they’d come from. Inquiries are being forwarded to the Marines.
The tail codes on the jets identify them as part of the Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.