VIDEO: Yes, those two military jets are doing a Seahawks flyby

And they circled back again… pic.twitter.com/GO4MHtYBmn

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 20, 2016

We just noticed two military jets circling over Puget Sound west of here – multiple circles – and confirmed via the game preview on the Seahawks website, “Immediately following the anthem, U.S. Navy VAQ-132 Squadron will conduct a flyover with two EA Growlers (F-18s).” According to Boeing’s website, they’re a variant of the planes flown by the Blue Angels. VAQ-132 is based at Whidbey Island.

Mandy November 20, 2016 (12:59 pm)

SO LOUD! Sooooo…they’re going to fly around for the next 30 minutes? Gah. Appreciate the information though!

Alki resident #3 November 20, 2016 (1:04 pm)

Of course it’s for the Seahawks. I should have guessed that. Thanks! This is exactly why I checked here: to find out what is going on. They have been flying right over my house! Now I don’t have to watch them on the TV machine.

JSM November 20, 2016 (1:05 pm)

https://www.quora.com/Fighter-Aircraft-How-much-does-it-cost-per-hour-to-fly-an-f-18

Jon November 20, 2016 (1:27 pm)

Hahahaha, yes! Exactly!

Man, it’s amazing the amount of money that goes to waste with big sporting events like this. Oh well — it’s not like we have anything where that money could be put to better use, right?
- Ex-Westwood Resident November 22, 2016 (9:14 am)
  
  Yeah because spending money to celebrate our Vets once or twice a year is waste of money, but spending $50,000,000 plus a year on an issue that does NOTHING to aid it makes PERFECT sense!!!

clark5080 November 20, 2016 (1:06 pm)

Most likely based out of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. They have a lot of them up there

WSB November 20, 2016 (1:07 pm)

Yes, that’s in the story – where, what kind of planes, etc. I guess they left a little too early because I’m STILL hearing them out there …

old timer November 20, 2016 (1:21 pm)

I knew I’d find the answer here!

Thanks WSB!

MercyMoi November 20, 2016 (1:42 pm)

I’m in the Columbia Tower Club for a game viewing event and watched the jets at flight level. Pretty cool!

angelescrest November 20, 2016 (2:06 pm)

Scared us. Felt like a war zone.

Chemist November 20, 2016 (2:33 pm)

Buckle down for victory fireworks in a few hours.
Craig November 21, 2016 (12:46 pm)

I’ve lived in a war zone, deployed with the Army in combat, and it didn’t scare me. Most of the time in a war zone they’d be much higher or faster, if that makes you feel better. Heck when I was deployed knowing planes like this were out there gave me a feeling of protection and confidence. I took my kids out to see them and talk about how fast they can go, how planes fly, stuff like that. Feel however you want, I will too. Hope you enjoyed the game. Good one!

Gene November 20, 2016 (2:38 pm)

Always a naysayer- love the flyover –keep it up!

Didn’t scare us- nor did it feel like a “war zone”

WSB November 20, 2016 (2:48 pm)

Kind of depends on where you are. If not for the fact that what we do for a living means we pay an inordinate amount of attention to unusual aircraft sounds/sights, it could have been alarming – seemed to make MANY circles. One of these years I’m going to remember to read the gameday previews every single week to get the advance alerts – not that long ago it seemed as if each team had only one “salute to servicemembers” event each year, and now it seems to happen several times a season. – TR
- Ex-Westwood Resident November 22, 2016 (9:09 am)
  
  Several times a season????
  
  The NFL does it in November because Veterans day falls on the 11th of the month. Usually two home games depending on the schedule. I don’t consider two “several”.
  
  MLB does it during the homestand close to, or on Memorial Day weekend usually three games, with the biggest the closest to, or on, Memorial Day itself.
  
  As a 22 year Navy Vet, I don’t think that celebrating those who serve/d (Vets Day) and those who sacrificed their lives (Memorial Day) is too much to ask considering they are about 6 months apart.

angelescrest November 20, 2016 (4:20 pm)

Love having our feelings interpreted by someone who must know how we felt better than we do/did and even had some editorializing to go along with the snarky dismissal.

Westside45 November 20, 2016 (7:46 pm)

If you’re concerned about getting your feelings hurt keep your comments to yourself. The Internet is not a place for the thin-skinned.

Peter November 20, 2016 (9:18 pm)

As a sports fan, I find the conflation of militarism and sports offensive. This needs to stop.

TheKing November 20, 2016 (10:00 pm)

Since they are one of the few major organizations that proudly supports the military I love the NFL.

Real Patriotic November 20, 2016 (10:41 pm)

The league gets paid for this. Before you go getting all misty eyed and lump in your throat the Armed forces pay out 10.4 million for tributes and recognition

TheKing November 21, 2016 (1:08 am)

Well good for the NFL. At least money is going to recognize veterans who have served their country like I did. 15th CAMS 1988-1992 USAF. Proud of it.

Craig November 21, 2016 (12:47 pm)

Agreed. Felt the same. Thank you for your service, from one vet to another.
Real Patriotic November 21, 2016 (6:01 pm)

Thank you for your service! That thanks is free of charge. Perhaps you don’t understand what I said. The NFL and other Professional sports are getting paid to thank you, They are not thanking you and recognizing you because they appreciate you but because they make money for it. If that is admirable I must of been raised wrong
- TheKing November 21, 2016 (7:39 pm)
  
  Maybe you don’t understand what I said, good for the NFL. They are getting paid as a huge platform in which to bring awareness to vets that sacrifice for you to freely make backhanded comments like this.
  - WSB November 21, 2016 (7:50 pm)
    
    In the meantime, before this fight goes another couple rounds, the practice of “paid patriotism” is reported to have stopped after Congressional intervention.
    
    http://www.sbnation.com/2015/11/4/9670302/nfl-paid-patriotism-troops-mcain-flake-report-million
    
    Some refunds were reported to be in progress earlier this year.
    
    http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/15611052/nfl-returning-723000-taxpayers-paid-military-tributes
    
    And a variety of other references, if you google “paid patriotism.”
    
    This would lead me to conclude that the team was not paid for yesterday’s flyover. I will ask. – TR
    - Ex-Westwood Resident November 22, 2016 (9:23 am)
      
      TR, thank you for posting the links, but I’d like to add that it was a few teams and not the whole NFL that received money to honor our Vets. (just in case some don’t want to read the links).

Sorry, comment time is over.