About the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters over West Seattle

| Helicopter | West Seattle news

(Photo sent by Sally)

Lots of questions this past hour about U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters over West Seattle. They’re from Joint Base Lewis McChord in Pierce County. We have a message out to Public Affairs there to see if they can comment. But this is far from the first time these types of helicopters have looped the area (and other points between here and the base); more often, we see them at night (flight trackers generally list them), and we’ve been told before that these are training flights.

(Photo sent by Karen)

(update) We’ve added a few more photos – thanks to everyone who’s sent them!

(Photo sent by Mike)

Emily October 9, 2024 (2:46 pm)

FlightRadar24 showed them doing circles around West Seattle and flying like 150ft over Lumen Field like 5 times

WSB October 9, 2024 (2:48 pm)

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Yes, that’s what the training flights often show, a loop here, a loop there. I did just reach an actual person at JBLM Public Affairs who is checking for me.
- cb3811 October 9, 2024 (2:55 pm)
  
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  I’m guessing it’s practice for a flyover for the Seahawks game tomorrow?
SeaK October 9, 2024 (3:09 pm)

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There is a hawks game tomorrow, maybe they’re practicing for a flyover? It was incredibly annoying to try and work with them circling, my desk was vibrating from the noise.
- Marty2 October 9, 2024 (3:26 pm)
  
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  I was near the downtown Ferry Terminal this afternoon and saw them fly over Lumen Field, so I assume it was practice for tomorrow night’s Hawk game.

brizone October 9, 2024 (2:49 pm)

Flew over the Myrtle Reservoir 4-5 times at this point. Annoying.

Lauri October 9, 2024 (2:51 pm)

Thank you! Assumed it was for training, but it’s good to know all is well.

Chris October 9, 2024 (2:51 pm)

Thank you WSB!

WS Res October 9, 2024 (3:02 pm)

Flew so low over my house it shook my windows!

BJG October 9, 2024 (3:04 pm)

The three helicopters flew so low directly over our house that as I pushed the front door open, the rotor blades forced the door back at me. Or was is the sound waves as well? That was too low!

KM October 9, 2024 (3:12 pm)

Thanks WSB for being such a reliable resource! I knew I’d find an answer here.

Rhonda October 9, 2024 (3:29 pm)

Too cool!

sbre October 9, 2024 (4:55 pm)

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What Rhonda said, x 10!!

Joe E October 9, 2024 (4:08 pm)

Typically training over an urban area is no longer than 45 minutes flight time because it disrupts flight traffic. They have been flying over head now for about 3 hours and that means multiple rotations are active. I’m leaning away from this being a typical training event. Yes Seattle Seahawks play tomorrow but that also makes me think that maybe JBLM know something we don’t know and has heightened their awareness levels. Also there is altitude protocols for training events in urban environments. The protocol is NO LESS THAN 500ft in a training event will. Another reason I’m leaning against this being a training event. And finally, sadly enough, even if this was an actual mission they are flying, we will likely never know the truth.

WSB October 9, 2024 (4:20 pm)

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If you’re in south West Seattle or White Center, the helicopter presence in the past 45 minutes or so was different – Guardian One, investigating something in WC that we’re trying to find out about (we’re just leaving the school-closure protest in SODO, headed for WC)

TJ October 9, 2024 (5:04 pm)

Where some see and feel the sound of noise and disruption, I see and feel the sweet sound of freedom that so many take for granted. Freedom provided by the young men and women who fly these aircraft. This message is for every military pilot, at every military installation in the PNW… you are free to buzz my house anytime you like. I love a warm blanket, thanks for being here for us.

Joan October 9, 2024 (5:06 pm)

Training is fine and understandable. But my whole house shakes and they were too low for my liking. Why can’t they fly higher? It’s not acceptable to buzz residential areas. I felt like Radar. I could sense them coming.