Loud Planes: Alien Invasion or Maverick and Goose?

One night last month, I heard thunderous noise overhead that continued for several minutes. I didn't think it was an airline passages plane passing by. Eventually the roaring faded away.

The next day, the Olney-Brookeville Exchange was abuzz with people speculating about the source of the loud rumbling. Various theories included: testing at Fort Meade; C130 planes instead fighter jets; sonic booms caused by new jets flying over the Patuxent River (suggested by OBX member A.F.) or even an alien invasion! 

The funniest explanation came from writer Beth Fusion: "It's possible that the planes were additional security detail because both houses of congress, POTUS and his entire cabinet (minus one) were in the same room at right around that time last night for the State of the Union [Address]. But now that I think about it, some might consider that to be its own form of  alien invasion."

And what would aliens find in Olney? As I pondered in my earlier post "If an Alien Landed at Olney Community Night", an alien would find gyms, spas, restaurants and banks!

And two nights ago I heard more loud rumbling... as did many others on the OBX. One person, olneykm, posted a logical explanation: NORAD's exercises over the Washington, D.C. area.

I love Mike Dankmeyer's theory: "Maverick and Goose doing a flyby" to which OBX member J.M. replied, "Ha ha, they have a need.  A need for speed."