ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Did you hear it? It was a loud boom, heard and felt in parts of St. Johns County early Thursday evening. Many reported hearing it before 5 p.m. First Coast News, On Your Side reached out to Naval Air Station Jacksonville who gave the following explanation of what likely occurred:
We have had Training Squadron’s Seven and Nine conducting operations from NAS Jacksonville for the past week for pilot carrier qualifications. They fly the Boeing T-45C Goshawk, the Navy’s most advanced strike jet trainer. I’m not 100% sure that it was one of these aircraft making this loud noise, but it most likely this aircraft. If it was a cloudy day, that enhances the noise but they are required to follow all FAA rules on flying restrictions.
NAS Jacksonville sent out a news release to media outlets last week to inform the public of training exercises and potential for loud noises.
