SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) F-15 fighter jets training near Perth could be the reason a loud boom was heard in the city on Wednesday (Aug 21), said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Thursday.
Australian media reported on Wednesday that a loud boom had been heard and felt by many people in Perth’s southern suburbs just before midday.
In response to media queries, MINDEF said four RSAF F-15 jets are training out of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Base Pearce from Aug 13 to Sep 6.
The base is located in Bullsbrook, just outside Perth.
“The F-15 aircraft are flying about 70km from the coast at above 24,000 feet over sea in the designated training area. Initial findings indicate that the noise could have come from the training aircraft,” MINDEF said.
It added that the loud noise was “unexpected” as the aircraft were far out at sea.
“The RSAF appreciates the continued support of the RAAF and the local community for our training from RAAF Base Pearce.
“The RSAF apologises for any alarm that the training activity may have caused,” it said.
ABC News reported that thousands of people had flooded social media after the boom rattled windows from Mandurah to Fremantle and inland at Byford.
One person in Gosnells told the news outlet she felt a “huge rumble and movement” and that she had never experienced anything like it before.
Another woman in Keysbrook said she thought a truck had crashed on her street after a “massive boom” shook her house.
Source: CNA
