Night Sky Disturbance Claimed By National Guard

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(FORT WAYNE) - The Indiana National Guard is taking responsibility for the recent nighttime disturbances in the Logansport and Kokomo areas.

A Guard spokesperson says loud noises, flashes of light and what appeared to be falling debris earlier this week were the result of training conducted by Indiana National Guard f-16 aircraft, headquartered at Fort Wayne's 122nd fighter wing.

Lieutenant Colonel Deedra Thombleson says the Indiana Air National Guard conducts training missions every day, and pilots and crewmembers need the most realistic training possible for their own safety and those they work to protect.

She says F-16's routinely train with a countermeasure flare system which draws heat-seeking missiles away from the aircraft exhaust. Thombleson says that's what caused the string of lights Logansport and Kokomo residents saw.

She says the area is not designated for supersonic flight, but the pilots apparently went too fast.

Wing Commander Jeffery Soldner says he has ordered a thorough investigation into why the incident took place and a complete review of the tactics that were in use at the time.

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