UPDATE: Harrier military jets fly over North Admiral

10:37 AM: We saw/heard that very loud two-jet flyover while covering an unrelated outdoor event in North Admiral. Looking into it!

12:03 PM: Since the Museum of Flight is at Boeing Field and very plugged in to the happenings there, we asked MoF spokesperson Ted Huetter what he knows. While he said he doesn’t have specifics about these jets, “the planes are Harriers. There are seven at Boeing Field today. There were a number of them here last month before heading up to Alaska for training exercises.” (The U.S. Marine Corps flies them.)

12:19 PM: The training exercises Ted mentioned were part of Red Flag Alaska 24-1, which wrapped up a few days ago.

Ralph Nader May 7, 2024 (10:39 am)

I noticed the same thing yesterday evening. Multiple loud military looking jets flying around the Sound. No pun intended.

Norskgirl May 7, 2024 (10:53 am)

I live in the Genesee Hills area. Heard loud sounds of jets overhead. Looked out my window and saw two jets flying in a NW direction. Immediately I looked at the WSB, knowing you would have something. And here you are! You are great WSB!

WSB May 7, 2024 (11:06 am)

Haven’t found info yet but still trying. We’ve missed the others bc HQ is on the south end – in this case we just happened to be standing on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of California!

Mike May 7, 2024 (10:56 am)

Yep, I saw them yesterday, as well. I think it was between 5:30 and 6pm. Today I noticed 7 of them, all heading to Boeing Field. Yesterday, I didn’t count them, but it was around the same number, also heading to Boeing Field.

Streamdreamer May 7, 2024 (11:09 am)

Heard and watched as two seemingly fully armed military jets thundered over North Admiral at a very low altitude heading to the NW possibly towards the base on Whidbey. Have never seen any jets like that around here with what certainly appeared to be rockets and other weapons visible. Don’t know if I feel safe or worried…

lucy May 7, 2024 (11:45 am)

How in the world would you know if they are “fully armed?” Are you just trying to frighten people?
- JAT May 7, 2024 (1:32 pm)
  
  They had a lot of ordinance on their under-wing pylons – people do know stuff,…
- Daniel May 8, 2024 (8:24 am)
  
  Red Flag has some live fire components, so it could well be real ordinance.
RAVEN May 14, 2024 (11:04 pm)

OMG MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!! Lived on a TAC BASE when my children were very young et the only time you saw that was when when something truly nefarious was amuck …TRULY unnerved to see again this late in life et so close…. Last time I experienced that feeling was in the late 80s when we were in Panama they took off over my home on base at 1am et I knew it was NUNCA BUENO

Chris May 7, 2024 (11:31 am)

President Biden visit Seattle on Friday

KSea May 7, 2024 (11:56 am)

They were Harrier jets, they popped on and off radar for a bit going towards Interbay

WSB May 7, 2024 (12:02 pm)

I just found out a bit – thank you!

Kyle May 7, 2024 (12:01 pm)

President Biden is coming to town on Friday, maybe they’re in town in preparation for that.

Gary May 7, 2024 (12:31 pm)

Many presidents have came into town and there is never Air Force present.
- Carson May 7, 2024 (1:05 pm)
  
  The Air Force is always present, just not always seen. Either 2009 or 2010 Obama was here, a small plane entered restricted air space and jets were scrambled and broke the sound barrier in pursuit. It sounded like a neighbors home exploded, we were all in the street wondering what happened. Then, as now, the explanation came from WSB
  - WSB May 7, 2024 (1:15 pm)
    
    August 2010! That was memorable. NORAD did issue a statement later in the afternoon – but in that case, it was heard by hundreds of thousands, not more localized like this morning’s flyover.
    https://westseattleblog.com/2010/08/yes-we-heard-it-too/
  - Derp May 7, 2024 (1:36 pm)
    
    I believe they were at the base in Portland when they were scrambled.
- Rhonda May 7, 2024 (1:33 pm)
  
  Harrier jets are U.S. Marine Corps amphibious VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) fighter aircraft to support Marines on the ground. They are small, subsonic, and very maneuverable with the ability to hover. They are designed to be deployed from smaller naval amphibious assault ships along with helicopters and armored personnel carrier landing craft. No Air Force involvement.
  - John May 7, 2024 (4:41 pm)
    
    Oh yes, “The Widow Maker.”
    That is a deserved sobriquet for the Harrier.
    The L A Times once called it the “most dangerous aircraft in the US military.”
    The US Marines lost a third of their Harriers to accidents with 45 pilots killed. I’m surprised/distressed they are being flown over population centers.
    
    The Museum of Flight and air shows should be the place for Harriers.
    - Rhonda May 7, 2024 (10:09 pm)
      
      The Flight Museum has a Harrier right behind the first-ever 747. The new F35B varient is the Harrier replacement. BONUS: it’s supersonic and stays in the sky better.

Chris May 7, 2024 (12:07 pm)

There are SEVEN of them! Watched them heading in to Boeing Field from my work on Beacon Hill. Curious what they are here for

DRW May 7, 2024 (12:40 pm)

https://www.wmof.com/t-4.html

Ducky May 7, 2024 (12:46 pm)

Any idea if the remaining jets will fly over later today, and, if so, when? Thx!

Svenry May 7, 2024 (5:20 pm)

All 9 are still at Boeing Field as of this comment. The rumor I heard from other photographers there is they’ll be leaving early tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, but it’s possible they could go today. I watched them get loaded with fuel, so they’re prepped and ready.
- Ducky May 8, 2024 (12:43 pm)
  
  FYI – now two remain. Any update on those? Saw the other seven go this morning. Thanks for the tip!
  - Kelly May 9, 2024 (9:45 am)
    
    Two just took off from Boeing Field. I have a front row seat from my office in Georgetown.

Svenry May 7, 2024 (5:06 pm)

There are a total of 9! I went down to watch them come in yesterday afternoon and get some photos.The Marine Corps is retiring their Harriers next year, so this will be one of the last visits (if not *the* last).

WSRes May 7, 2024 (8:40 pm)

I love it. The sounds of freedom!

Scarlett May 7, 2024 (10:07 pm)

Step out of line and see how far that “freedom” goes.

Alki Seltzer May 7, 2024 (11:32 pm)

Well, Scarlett, we’re a democracy with laws, not anarchy, so…
- JDB May 8, 2024 (10:35 am)
  
  You sure about that? I mean, we are beating up college students because they are hurting another country’s feelings – not sure what kind of democracy that is.

Just wondering May 8, 2024 (4:06 am)

If you saw the movie “True Lies”, Arnold flew a Harrier to rescue his daughter!

22blades May 8, 2024 (4:14 am)

US Forces Red Flag 24 exercises are in progress in Alaska. A joint exercise of US DOD branches along with numerous other countries. When staging up there, fighters will transit in groups, aerial refueling or laying over when needed. As fighters, they have pretty short endurance.

Georgetown citizen May 8, 2024 (8:54 am)

They were waaaayyy too loud even thru double pained glass. Anyone starting a class action lawsuit? that definitely was waaaay to loud for legality.

Svenry May 8, 2024 (4:26 pm)

It’s a 50+ year old jet design that’s being retired next year. They’re loud, but not more than the F-35 or EA-18G Growlers that come by during Seafair.
Danimal May 8, 2024 (7:48 pm)

LOL Are you freaking serious man? A class action lawsuit against the military for flying a training exercise? No way that would ever pass any kind of muster in court. Trying to contain my incredulity here…
WS Resident May 9, 2024 (12:28 am)

Good lord. Class action lawsuit for anything you don’t like. What fun…

Sorry, comment time is over.