RICHMOND, Va (WTVR)--Slow and low flying helicopters rattled windows--and nerves--as they passed overhead Wednesday night.
Some say they were surprised by how loud, how low and how long the helicopters were over their homes.
Lance Cpl. Jefferson with Marine Corp Base Quantico confirmed the Marines were assisting with helicopter training over Richmond on Wednesday. Jefferson would not go into detail about the nature of the training, nor the types of aircraft flying over Central Virginia.
Frederickburg.com reported two CH53 Echo Super Stallion helicopters were training in the region and returned to North Carolina last night. In Blackstone, the Army National Guard is also doing training said their training ended around midnight and they remained in the area.
For many on Facebook and Twitter, it was a long topic of conversation Thursday, while they tried to figure out, exactly why the helicopters were hovering about.
The sound of low-flying helicopters has now headed into #RVA, from West End. Anyone else find it #eerie?
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CBS 6 WTVR Richmond (@CBS6) February 21, 2013
@CBS6 They passed over Colonial Heights at about 1:15 - whole building shook for 5 minutes. #RVA
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Matthew Killorin (@matt_kay) February 21, 2013
@CBS6 I can report that I was on phone 1215-1230 in museum district and my phone cut out twice.
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Mike Dickinson (@MikeD_PhD) February 21, 2013
@sarvay @CBS6 I thought for sure it was going to land in my front yard! Didn't want to go outside in case it was police-related.
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Richmond Family Mag (@RVAFamilyMag) February 21, 2013
From Short Pump in Western Henrico County to Dinwiddie and Prince George counties, people recalled being woken from sleep by the sound. Others who were awake, say they heard the rotor blades of the helicopters as well their homes shake as they flew past.
Many were worried because they had no idea whether or not a criminal was on the run.
Fredericksburg.com reports that the helicopters will be training again tonight and that Central Virginia residents might hear the noise again tonight.
