BUCKEYE, Ariz. — West Valley residents were convinced they heard a sonic boom Tuesday morning.
They were right.
A spokesman for the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base told 12News an F-16 did go supersonic near Verrado during regular training.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Sí, escuchó un estallido sónico el martes en oeste del valle
"Procedures in the airspace are designed to keep sonic booms away from West Valley Phoenix residents," chief of media relations, Sean Clements, said. "We are investigating the incident and want to ensure our community knows that we take these incidents seriously. The safety and well-being of our community are of the utmost importance to us."
What is a sonic boom?
A sonic boom, according to the U.S. Air Force, is an "impulsive noise" similar to thunder caused by an object moving faster than sound – about 750 miles per hour at sea level.
The Air Force has conducted faster-than-sound test flights since 1947, and today most fighter aircraft are capable of supersonic speed.
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