Fighter jets boom through Juneau

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.

F/A-18D Hornets
Two F/A-18D Hornets return to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan after a training sortie, Oct. 30, 2013. The tail code of the jets spotted in Juneau identify them as part of the same squadron: Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. (Creative Commons photo by Patrick Cardinal)

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.

Jeremy Hsieh

Local News Reporter, KTOO

I dig into questions about the forces and institutions that shape Juneau, big and small, delightful and outrageous. What stirs you up about how Juneau is built and how the city works?

Sign up for The Signal

Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week

Site notifications
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications