Nov. 3—SCHROON LAKE — Ah, the Adirondacks: A place one can find some peace and quiet interrupted only by murmuring pines and babbling brooks — and the occasional sonic boom.
Sonic booms, as well as high-speed, low-elevation overflights by military jets have become the latest rhetorical and policy battleground in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, which covers most of northern New York.
And concern about the noise is reaching a crescendo, perhaps in light of another, unrelated military action — plans by the Army's 10th Mountain Division to conduct "high intensity" helicopter training exercises along with support troops on the ground in the state park.
The Army's plans, which have no firm timetable, are a different matter from the jet fighters that have long been flying over the mountains, seemingly at an increasing rate last summer.
The fighter planes, which are mostly from the Barnes Air National Guard base in western Massachusetts, have drawn scrutiny from residents as well as environmental groups for the disturbances they cause.
"I am letting you know that I am again hearing concerns about low-level military training flights frightening residents, pets, livestock, etc. and in the areas of Raquette Lake and Old Forge. The Raquette Lake concerns center over the lakes to the south — Mohegan and Sagamore — where flights were a concern last night between 18:45 and 19:30. If this was not your group, please let me know," Adirondack Council spokesman John Sheehan wrote last week to Lt. Col. Derek Routt, an official at the Barnes Air National Guard's Base in Westfield, Mass. The base is home to the 104th Fighter Wing.
"Please note that there are several homes and National Historic Landmarks in that location, including Great Camp Sagamore and Camp Uncas. I can identify their locations on a map for you if needed," Sheehan's letter also stated.
"I've been getting complaints all summer long," Sheehan said Monday. One resident was so frightened by the sound they thought their house was about to fall down, Sheehan said, while another low-level flight spooked the horses along a popular riding trail in the Tug Hill region, tossing at least one rider in the process.
The latest incident was what residents said was an unusually loud sonic boom last Friday and was first reported by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
Local Facebook pages also took note of the boom.
"Rattled my windows and scared the cat," wrote one contributor to a Schroon Lake Facebook page.
Others wondered if there had been an earthquake or reported hearing what sounded like a bomb.
Sonic booms occur when a plane exceeds the speed of sound — about 670 mph — creating a shock wave as it begins to mover faster than it can be heard up close.
The Enterprise reported that Barnes ANG officials confirmed an F-15 fighter jet was in the area on Friday, although it was flying above 30,000 feet, which the Federal Aviation Administration requires for supersonic travel. Aircraft need to travel even faster, or about 750 mph, to break the sound barrier at that altitude since the barriers is dependent on air density.
A call and email to Barnes ANG wasn't returned by early evening Monday.
There have long been jet training flights over the Adirondacks . In fact, the wreckage of a jet bomber that crashed into Wright Peak in 1962 can still be seen there.
There were even more flights than there are today before the old Plattsburgh Air Force Base closed in 1995.
Part of the increased awareness may stem from the same phenomenon that has prompted people to see more wildlife — the influx of people from the New York City area who have taken up permanent residence in the region to escape the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since there are now more people in the area who haven't previously lived there year round, they may notice things that full-time residents have long taken in stride.
Historically, Sheehan said, the training flights also have slowed down during the peak summer season, when the Adirondacks are crowded with vacationers. But that doesn't sound like it's the case this year.
For some, the flights are simply a part of the training regimen and readiness that any military unit needs in order to carry out its primary mission of national defense.
"Disturbance is in the ear of the beholder," Sheehan said.
[email protected] — 518-454-5758 — @RickKarlinTU
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