Anyone know whats flying over DC?

For the last hour I've been watching the traffic coming into Reagan International Airport. Its a busy night.
what I have also watched , during this time, is something large, with steady red and flashing white lights, circling round and round over DC.

Not a usual occurance, obviously to do with security and the State of the nation address, Id say, but does anyone have any suggestion as to what it may be, and what its doing?

Its to high to be spotting traffic (I'm guessing over 10,000 feet), so I can only think its operating military radar?

I have no clue, this is all a guess, hence the question! Any ideas?

reply to post by Icerider


can you take a picture for us?

or anyone around the area?

Yes, photos/video please. Your thread might die without, unfortunately. We are salivating and ready to judge!

Could it be a blimp or something? I don't know...advertising banks?

reply to post by Icerider

For the last hour I've been watching the traffic coming into Reagan International Airport. Its a busy night. what I have also watched , during this time, is something large, with steady red and flashing white lights, circling round and round over DC.

Without anything more than what you mentioned, I might guess something like an AWACS or other type security platform considering that most of our government will be under a single roof tonight.

Oh my God! They've come to take Obama back???

Obama has *gulp* guests on tv with him?

This is getting serious!!!!

I'm still freaking scared about bio-terrorism. And I'm Canadian. Hopefully the flying light thing is just security measures....

I'm totally making coffee for nine o' clock! Best of luck OP!

You gave me an idea.

I am going to make myself a pot too and keep my cigarrettes handy.

Originally posted by dgtempe
Oh my God! They've come to take Obama back???

Obama has *gulp* guests on tv with him?

This is getting serious!!!!

Guests? was this sarcasm or for real?

I haven't heard anything yet.

reply to post by redoubt


Err, for sure its a conventional aircraft, sorry to disapoint anyone!
Yeah, Im thinking AWACS too.
I'm afraid that my photography skills, and 3mp camera, aint going to cut it, but Ill have a quick look see if its still about, and if I can capture something, though it won't tell you much.

Not really concerned about creating a thread, BTW, Im just interested to know what it may be!

AWAC more than likely.

[edit on January 27th 2010 by greeneyedleo]

Best I can do with my kit, but it does give an idea and the lighting configuration





This is certainly conventional air traffic, Im sure, but what?

reply to post by Icerider


thanks for giving us the pic...

I can't make heads from tails of that...but it seems like everyone has an agreement of what it is already.

reply to post by dgtempe


Hahaha DG@!

Here! I've got a carton of Marlie Lights and a pouch of Starbucks light note.
Mind if I sit with you? We can play some blackjack in between, when all the Apple iPad & Wachovia commercials come on.

I'm nearby your location, and I have seen aircraft acting funny ever since yesterday (For the first time ever I saw a low level passenger jet flashing its landing lights off/on, and traveling at a faster and lower than normal speed/ALT).

My first assumption would be that this is a Helo, most likely a National Guard Helo from Ft. Belvoir. It could very well be an AWACS as well (Tight command and control of the airspace over the Capital right now). Look around for some fighters too, you'll most likely see some CAPs (Combat Air Patrols). F-16 Falcons are typically used around here.

reply to post by TheAgentNineteen


No, Not a helicopter, I watch those all the time, dodging across the Reagan flight path on their way home of an evening.
This is definitely a fixed wing, and biggish, too. Big enough that I can see it banking.

Yes, Ive also noticed traffic changes, and theres been pairs of fast, high altitude fighters (?) across the airspace this evening too

What really surprised me was the 30 second gaps between planes on approach early this pm - all those statesmen wanting to get their seats, i guess.

Just checked and its still up there, those guys must be getting dizzy!

Originally posted by Icerider
Best I can do with my kit, but it does give an idea and the lighting configuration





This is certainly conventional air traffic, Im sure, but what?

www.venganza.org...

I'm gonna get shot for this, but check out the Flying Spaghetti Monster and tell me that it doesn't look similar. Perhaps Obama's been touched by His Noodly Goodness....

Anyone willing to put a bet on that it's just another weather balloon?

I'm all for the idea of it being an AWACS though.

If not an AWACS, you can bet your bottom dollar that it was made here on earth, and probably in China.

reply to post by leftystrat


Hey, we can live in hope

BTW nice axes!

I would think for security they probably have a predator drone flying over head especially where the president is....unless what your seeing is much bigger than one of those

reply to post by Icerider


Relax , it's just Another WEATHER BALOON .....................LOL