VOLK FIELD, Wis. – Don’t be shocked to see warplanes overhead. Lieutenant Colonel Ben Staats, said that 60 aircraft, including F-35s, will be participating in the annual Northern Lightning exercise August 9 to 20 at the Volk Field. People in central and western Wisconsin expect increased aircraft activity, said Staats, exercise commander. There will be sonic booms, although only during daylight. Nearly 1,000 members of the National Guard, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy are taking part in the combat readiness training, he said. They are from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin.
F-35 Lightning. Why sonic booms? They max out 60% faster than the speed of sound.