Late-night rumbling noise overhead mystified Raleigh residents. Here’s the explanation.

Anything sound a little startling in the skies Wednesday night — maybe like the sound of onrushing doom?

Judging from the chatter on Twitter, the noise of giant aircraft disturbed more than a few in Raleigh at midnight and beyond.

In all likelihood, these were UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. These can be tracked on Flightradar24, which shows a Black Hawk flying at 800 feet over Raleigh just past 4 a.m. Thursday.

The 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg announced last week that it has been conducting medical operations, moving equipment, personnel and simulated casualties with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade. That could account for some of the noise.

Also, the NC National Guard’s 449th Combat Aviation Brigade armory is near Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and they conduct regular training flights and missions.

Just last week, the Guard took Triangle employers who show support for their members on a special flight.

So you can go back to bed.

This story was originally published September 15, 2022 at 4:09 PM.

Josh Shaffer

The News & Observer

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Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.