By Brad Dison
During the past few days, there has been a lot of airplane and helicopter movement in our area. The Journal uses a mobile app called FlightRadar24 to track aircraft. (It’s a free and fun app.) In many cases, the app is unable to track military aircraft. This was the case the past few days. In the Saline area, multiple people have contacted the Journal about the several helicopters that flew just above the treetops on Tuesday night. Since then, numerous military aircraft have flown over our parish heading towards and away from Barksdale Air Force Base, most of which are untrackable with the aforementioned app.
Barksdale Air Force Base has been shifting its military aircraft to other bases and have been housing aircraft fleeing from hurricane Ian in Florida. Officials started moving those planes Tuesday from the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. Some of the planes include F35 Lightning II, Navy P-8 Poseidons, and others. Barksdale Air Force Base has provided safe haven for aircrafts avoiding damaging weather conditions for years, protecting billions of dollars of military assets.
For the next few days, keep watching the skies and you may get an impromptu air show.
In addition to north Louisiana housing military aircraft, Governor John Bel Edwards has sent help to Florida. “Louisiana knows all too well the chaos and destruction a hurricane as strong as Ian can bring, and we will do everything we can to help our neighbors in Florida and other states impacted by this storm,” said Governor Edwards. “I have spoken with Governor DeSantis and instructed our state agencies to offer resources, personnel and expertise to Florida officials, some of which is already on its way. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and my senior staff will remain in regular contact with their counterparts in Florida. I also ask that you join your prayers to mine for the people of Florida and surrounding areas as they endure this devastating storm.”
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