Military helicopter and plane flying in formation
 

Just saw what sounded like a military Blackhawk flying at low altitude past Rattlesnake headed towards Gilford. But it was closely following a small plane that was flying without running lights. Seems like there are more military flights happening - the other week we were coming back from Alton Bay and saw a large military transport (bigger than a C-130, maybe a C-5 or C-17) that was flying very closely just behind and below a small plane in a similar path during the early evening. Wonder why the formation flying over the lake... Seems like a specialized thing.

Training area
 

There is a military training area that starts around the Lakes Region and goes north up to the White Mountains. Been here for years and is used a lot.

Dave

Check out the thread...
 

...entitled 'Loch Winni Monster' and you'll discover why they need to bring out the big guns.

I believe they are referred to as the Yankee 1 and Yankee 2 MOA. It's quite a large area where they can operate at low altitude.

Correct
 

I think that's what they are still called. At my house in Alton Bay, we see the start and or end of training flights, often C-130's over Blackhawk helicopters. Also see A10s and a couple of different for aircraft.

Warms the heart of this old former air traffic controller. ;)

Dave

A few years ago there were two helos refueling behind a C-130 up and down the broads. Pretty cool.

Here's a screen grab from an aviation chart showing the Yankee 1 and Yankee 2 MOA (Military Operations Area). It's within the magenta lines with the "hairs" sticking inward. The helicopters and cargo planes practice low level flying within the MOA, which is why we see them so often flying low down the Lake.

Also common to see F-35's from Burlington VT and F-15's from Westfield MA practicing dog fighting over the White Mountains.

Also see the “Stealth Airspace” section here: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/...itary-airspace