A LOUD bang which was heard across the North East came from a training mission involving jets from the Swiss Air Force - and we got to have a look behind the scenes.
Earlier this week, residents as far as County Durham, Teesside and Hambleton reported a loud bang as early reports suggested an earthquake had taken place.
Residents described homes shaking and their windows vibrating after the noise at around 3.50pm on Wednesday.
Read more: North East 'sonic event' reported with shaking homes
Last night, the Swiss Air Force confirmed that they had been responsible for the noise as they said an F-18 Hornet had been on a training mission.
But The Northern Echo got to go behind the scenes at the training mission at RAF Leeming to see what they are doing - and why.
This week, ten F18 Hornets have been circling the skies of the region after arriving on Monday along with a contingent of helicopters.
Flying has so far been taking place mainly over the North Sea and RAF Spadeadam, the electronic warefare range over in Cumbria, both day and night.
Now in its third year at the North Yorkshire base, so-called "Exercise YORKNIGHT" is expected to continue all the way up until the second week of December.
Lieutenant colonel Aldo Wicki, Detachment Commander, explained to The Echo why they continue to come to RAF Leeming.
He said: "When it comes to advanced training you need highly qualified assets to train with and against.
"Our Air Force is too small to set up the assets so the opportunities in the UK are just fabulous - working with operationally experienced units from the RAF, or the US Air Force."
He added: "The second detachment will be completely different, because it includes the young pilots.
"Their challenge will not only to stick precisely and correctly to rules, regulations and proecdures, but also succesfully do the basic exercises at night in the training sectors over the dark, black seat at night."
Addressing the loud bang on Wednesday, a spokesman for the RAF said: “Exercise YORNITE, involving the Swiss Air Force, will be operating from RAF Leeming from November 15 to December 10.
"As in the past two years, it will involve night flying until 10pm, Monday to Friday.
“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused, and thank you for your patience. More details on the exercise can be found on the RAF Leeming Facebook page, if you have access.”
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel