Fighter jet exercise to take place in southern areas of Ohio

Ohio Air National Guard U.S. Air Force F-16 maintenance personnel, assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, begin to tow jets from the hangar, to the flightline, in preparation for early morning training sorties, Feb. 7, 2021. The fighter jets were brought into the hangar the night in an effort to keep the aircraft parking ramp open and accessible for snow removal crews to clear the tarmac of snow and ice, ensuring the 180FW is always mission capable and mission ready. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker.

By WHIO Staff

HILLSBORO, Highland County — People living near or around the Hillsboro area, in Highland County, may hear or see fighter jets in the sky Wednesday evening, according to a spokesperson from the Ohio National Guard.

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The 180th Fighter Wing will be conducting an air defense exercise over Southern Ohio between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

These jets will be flying close to a Civil Air Patrol aircraft as they will be conducting “Track of Interest,” the spokesperson said.

This is when an aircraft is identified as a potential threat and the national guard tracks them down.

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The exercise will help evaluate the response and coordination procedures in place by the Ohio National Guard, the spokesperson said.

If inclement weather occurs, the flights could be relocated, delayed, or canceled.