Expect more noise as 169th Fighter Wing plans training in different areas over S.C.

Posted

McENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE (AP) - Officials with the South Carolina Air National Guard say some areas of central South Carolina may hear the base's jets more than usual.

Some of the airspace the guard's 169th Fighter Wing traditionally uses to train is closed, so the jets will make more flights over areas around Columbia, unit commander Col. Akshai Gandhi said.

The flights by the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters will be in different areas over the next several weeks, Gandhi said in a statement.

Pilots are training for a number of different scenarios to protect the nation and also provide around-the-clock alerts if anything unknown enters United States airspace.

About 1,400 people serve in the South Carolina Air National Guard, which is located at McEntire Joint National Guard Base between Columbia and Sumter.