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Just Witnessed Possible CAP Flight Intercept
My own personal self | 1/4/02 | Psalm37

Posted on 01/04/2002 2:41:29 PM PST by psalm37

About 30 Minutes ago, 6:10-ish Eastern Time I was outside and noticed three aircraft flying South. I'm inside the Beltway, in Northern VA (about 10 miles from DC); I'd guess these aircraft were not actually over DC, but close.

The lead aircraft was lit up like an airliner at low altitude, the other two were definitely CAP aircraft, with just white blinking beacons (one each). The CAPs came up behind the airliner at high speed then backed off to match speed with it. Then the CAP to the left sped up and came so close to the airliner that I could not distinguish which was which. I never heard any engine or other noises because they were all too far away, and at this time of evening, rush-hour traffic is in full swing - lots of ambient sounds.

Next they all started turning to the left and straightened out heading North-Eastward. At this time either the airliner or the CAP closest to it showed a new light, which was very intense, and looked yellow/orange. At this point I would have been looking at them from the rear and left. I watched this scene, including the new, intense, yellow/orange light for another 10-15 seconds before I lost sight of them in the trees.

At first I wondered if this was a mid-air re-fueling, with the brightest light being used for visibility purposes, but I wonder if they would re-fuel like that at such low altitude, and over such a highly populated area.


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To: Dog Gone
If you're inside the Beltway, you're not a normal American and we can't trust your observations. Sorry.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

81 posted on 01/04/2002 4:18:56 PM PST by MindyW
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Comment #82 Removed by Moderator

To: psalm37
did you notice if that CAP was made of tin foil?
83 posted on 01/04/2002 4:22:43 PM PST by True Capitalist
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To: NELSON111
I live but a few miles from Ellington Field in Seabrook.

I love seeing those babies.

They buzz my house, hauling ass, a couple of times a day.

I can see a fully loaded arsenal and I feel much, much safer.

Good Job Men! ...and Thanks.

84 posted on 01/04/2002 4:24:05 PM PST by HoustonKevin
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To: MindyW
Let's remind Dog Gone that a pretty decent President of these United States currently resides just about as far inside the Beltway as it gets!
85 posted on 01/04/2002 4:24:44 PM PST by psalm37
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To: psalm37
So true. I'm also about 10 miles from DC in NOVA...Annandale actually.
86 posted on 01/04/2002 4:27:38 PM PST by MindyW
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To: psalm37
My latest flying magazine has an article where the author rode backseat in a F18 practicing with other F18s intercepting an airliner with their C-135 air refuelers over Alaska. This could be what you witnessed.
87 posted on 01/04/2002 4:27:44 PM PST by ParityErr
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To: Stealthy
Wow, I remember that post and subsequent news!

When I described the light as yellow/orange, I was also being careful. I've seen afterburners before too, and thought that might be the source of tonight's bright light, BUT - I couldn't hear the planes, and there's nothing wrong with my hearing, so I dismissed the idea.

88 posted on 01/04/2002 4:29:26 PM PST by psalm37
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To: True Capitalist
Play nice!

Or if you're serious, be specific about it.

89 posted on 01/04/2002 4:34:00 PM PST by psalm37
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To: MindyW
Falls Church
90 posted on 01/04/2002 4:34:44 PM PST by psalm37
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To: muawiyah
Well, thank you for your service at that critical time in our history.

I was enlisted until they discharge my bad knees.

91 posted on 01/04/2002 4:39:42 PM PST by psalm37
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To: MindyW
"Would you be, could you be, won't you be my neighbor?"
92 posted on 01/04/2002 4:40:45 PM PST by psalm37
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To: psalm37
Let's remind Dog Gone that a pretty decent President of these United States currently resides just about as far inside the Beltway as it gets!

Point well taken, but unlike Al Gore, his ranch isn't fake and he will return to it to live. As far as he's concerned, he's on assignment in hostile territory.

93 posted on 01/04/2002 4:47:45 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: psalm37
It seems any attempted terrorism (thwarted) is being covered up by the government media complex.

It sounds crazy, but when you condsider the shoe bomber (no mention of muslumism), and the rush to blame turbulence for a tail section flying off an airliner, well, I dunno'.

94 posted on 01/04/2002 4:48:27 PM PST by Bullish
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To: psalm37
My home is fairly elevated

Shoot, that's nothing. My blood-alcohol level is fairly eleveated, and I see this kind of stuff all the time.

95 posted on 01/04/2002 5:04:22 PM PST by Scott from the Left Coast
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Comment #96 Removed by Moderator

To: muawiyah
The only thing we get to see here are ANG choppers, usually flying in tandem going to Fort Indiantown Gap, and military "trainers" doing *touch and go's* at the local airport. Haven't seen any jets, other than the Lears a couple private firms keep hangered.
97 posted on 01/04/2002 5:07:28 PM PST by Thumper1960
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To: psalm37
This could also have been just three military planes. I suspect that senior members of government (i.e. Rumsfeld, et al) are getting military escorts when they fly. We are considered at war. It might have a been a military 737 or something.
98 posted on 01/04/2002 5:11:30 PM PST by tbeatty
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To: Dog Gone
Point taken. I will agree with you that it feels like living behind enemy lines. I'm in Fairfax County; The People's Republic of Arlington (County), is right next door to the East. Beyond Arlington lies DC. It seems that Liberal foolishness radiates outward from DC. This foolishness is diminished by distance and seems unable to cross salt water or farm land without suffering distortion. Real trouble occurs when foolishness radiating from two or more large cities converges - especially when there's no salt water or farm land between the cities. For example, I offer the fact that the parts of Maryland between DC and Baltimore make no sense at all - I can barely even drive the roads without a guide.
99 posted on 01/04/2002 5:13:12 PM PST by psalm37
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To: psalm37
"I'd much rather observe readiness for action than action itself."

And, I suspect the gov't would also prefer to have it seen and reported than done quietly. Ask any cop about what's the most effective tool for preventing crime, and he'll reply "visible police presence". People drive better when they see police cars. Crooks looking for a house (or pedestrian) to rob will skedaddle when they see a prowl car slowly cruise down the street.

Likewise, routine tasks like refuelings -- that normally happen much to high to see -- may be happening at "eye level" now to provide a visible deterrent to the vermin who might be tempted to attack us.

100 posted on 01/04/2002 5:15:49 PM PST by Don Joe
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