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F-15 fighter jets fly over Ashford

16:17, 18 August 2022

updated: 17:55, 18 August 2022

Fighter jets have caused a stir after performing a low flypast over a Kent town.

Residents across Ashford and the surrounding villages reported hearing an "incredible noise" as the F-15s flew over a short time ago.

Four jets were spotted in formation, followed by two more. Photo: Sarah Town
Four jets were spotted in formation, followed by two more. Photo: Sarah Town
An F-15 jet in full flight. Photo: iStock
An F-15 jet in full flight. Photo: iStock

Quick-witted witnesses saw a total of six jets flying across the sky.

One eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: "The noise was absolutely incredible. It was so loud that I thought they were going to crash into the house.

"When we looked outside I could see four flying in formation, followed soon after by two more."

The latest model of the American fighter jets, the F-15EX, is valued at an eye-watering £73 million per plane.

Each can fly for 20,000 hours at the cost of around £24,000 an hour.

It is thought they could have been on their way back to base after a display at an air show in Eastbourne, East Sussex, but this has not been confirmed.

This is not the first time a military aircraft has caused a stir in Kent.

Almost exactly two years ago, a huge RAF Atlas A400M was spotted over a large swathe of the county, including Faversham, Ashford and Hawkinge.

The Ministry of Defence have been contacted for comment.

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