I was at my home in Central Florida, lounging in bed on a lazy Sunday morning, when the familiar roar of a jet engine shattered my dreams of extracurricular sleep.
Now, normally this wouldn’t raise an eyebrow; I live near a small airport and not too far from the Avon Park bombing range, so the occasional jet was just part of the local soundtrack. But this morning, something was different.
As I lay there, half-awake and still dreaming about inauguration parades and the sweet taste of freedom (or maybe just my leftover midnight snacks), I heard that unmistakable rush of a jet continually whooshing overhead.
My first thought was, “Well, tomorrow’s inauguration is coming up… maybe they’re rehearsing for a flyover?” But then, as the jet swooped in yet again—like it had a personal vendetta against my peaceful sleep—I decided to investigate.
I fumbled for my cell phone and promptly launched FlightRadar24.
Within seconds, my groggy mind was hit with a cosmic jolt: there, streaking across the sky like a cameo from a 1980s action flick, was a Russian-made MiG-17.
Yes, a MiG-17!
One day before the inauguration, and there it was, doing aerial loops above my Central Florida town, for first time (in my life at least.)
It wasn’t just cruising at a safe distance; this jet was playing a high-stakes game of “How Close Can I Get?”—soaring thousands of feet up and then swooping within hundreds of feet of our city.
For a split second, my mind spun wild scenarios. I pictured a scene straight out of a movie: the MiG-17 circling above like a grizzled veteran of intergalactic warfare, setting the stage for a real-life “Red Dawn” sequel.
Was this the prelude to an international invasion? Had the Cold War just decided to crash the presidential inauguration party? I could almost hear dramatic music building up in the background.
Before I could dive too deep into conspiracy theory mode, I did a bit of digital detective work. Turns out, this wasn’t a secret military maneuver or a covert Russian operation—it was simply a small flight demonstration.
The MiG was just showing off its vintage aerobatics, and my town was the backdrop for its mid-air pirouette.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Here I was, a humble Central Floridian, tucking my family's bugout bags in the car—just in case—and simultaneously wondering what if....
But no worries!!
As I relaxed once again I wondered, should I should start checking the community calendar for “unexpected Cold War reenactments” as a new local event?
I mean, if a Russian jet is going to play overhead one day before the inauguration, who knows what surprises tomorrow might bring?
Maybe a marching band of drones or an impromptu airshow featuring vintage propeller planes?
As I watched the MiG continue its swooping routine like a mischievous sky-dancer, I marveled at the irony.
In the age of high-tech surveillance and instant news, my morning had turned into a quirky reminder that even on the eve of historic political transitions, life has a way of serving up the unexpected—with a generous side of absurdity!
So now, with my bugout bags stowed back in the house and my curiosity satisfied, I can’t help but muse: should I become a regular on FlightRadar24?
Or maybe subscribe to the “Local Aerial Oddities” newsletter?
One thing’s for sure: if the community calendar ever starts listing “Russian Jet Overhead” as a recurring event, I’ll be first in line—with popcorn in hand—to watch the show!
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