Lorca residents warned of loud sonic booms in June

The Lorca Town Hall has alerted the residents of the Murcia municipality that they can expect loud sonic booms until mid-June, as military aircraft carry out a series of training exercises over the area. The drills are being carried out by the Spanish Air and Space Force, and form part of the Tactical Leadership Programme, an advanced international training course that prepares pilots for complex missions.

Loud ‘explosion’-like sounds in the Lorca area until mid-June

These drills are being done at the Albacete Air Base and will be in effect until Friday, June 19. The training flights will take place between approximately 3:30pm and 5:30pm on weekdays, with no training scheduled for the weekends.

During the series of exercises, residents of the Lorca area can expect to hear sonic booms, even at ground level. They are described as sudden, short-lived, loud noises, and may be powerful enough to rattle doors or windows, or cause a brief vibration in the air. These loud and sudden sounds are produced when aircraft exceed the speed of sound. 

Both the volume and the sound of sonic booms are often mistaken for explosions or even earthquakes, but residents may rest assured that the cause of the sounds is standard aircraft drills. Authorities have issued this warning in order to prevent unnecessary alarm among Lorca residents.

Residents in Lorca and surrounding areas may also notice increased military movement throughout June, including deployment of support military vehicles.

The Albacete Air Base, an important structure for the whole of Spain

The Albacete Air Base, also known as Los Llanos Air Base, is an international air base of the Spanish Air Force and Space Force located 4 kilometres south of Albacete. It is one of the most important air installations in Spain.

While residents may be startled and alarmed by the unexpected sounds of the sonic booms, the loud sounds serve as a simple reminder that the military pilots are training, honing their skills, and strictly following the carefully-managed routine.