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# Mysterious plane circling Manhattan sparks concern and intrigue

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Image: lili sams/mashable
By Nicole Gallucci 2016-12-13 22:33:06 UTC

A large military-style plane, which looked remarkably like a C-130, circled Manhattan for at least 30 minutes on Tuesday afternoon, causing quite the commotion online.

Despite the concern from New Yorkers, Eric Durr, Director of Public Affairs at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs told Mashable the plane was simply an HC-130, a search and rescue plane, conducting routine training.

Durr explained that the folks flying the plane and helicopters around mid-town Manhattan on Tuesday, a crew based out of Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton, "specialize in retrieving people who are down behind enemy lines."

SEE ALSO: This clever pilot used flight radar to spell out a friendly message

Though Durr knew what was going on, the rest of New York, and even some in the military, was left in the dark. A spokesperson at Air Mobility Command told Mashable they didn't know why the plane was there and were not sure if it was theirs. They were not made aware of any flight mission in the area today.

Image: lili sams/mashable

Image: lili sams/mashable

Image: lili sams//mashable

According to Tom Namako, Deputy News Director at Buzzfeed, the NYPD was initially unaware of the reasoning behind the plane, though they later said the planes were part of a military training exercise.

> The @NYPDnews just told @BuzzFeedNews they don't know why this plane is circling Manhattan. https://t.co/MHL4wktbCH

> — Tom Namako (@TomNamako) December 13, 2016

Mashable later confirmed that the plane was part of the 102nd Rescue Squadron of the New York Air National Guard, which is a unit of the New York Air National Guard 106th rescue wing.

> Col. Broccoli, CO of the 106th Rescue Wing says the C130 circling Manhattan is doing "standard military training."

> — Thomas Gibbons-Neff (@Tmgneff) December 13, 2016

Curious and concerned New Yorkers, completely unaware of why the plane was hovering so close did a little online freaking out and began posting photos and video of the plane on Twitter, along with possible explanations.

> The military plane over NYC right now is a C-130. It's a cargo plane, not a bomber. Unusual, but don't spread misinformation y'all. https://t.co/fjPV5JwR9K

> — Alex Fitzpatrick (@AlexJamesFitz) December 13, 2016

> Seeing multiple reports of a USAF C-130 and several Black Hawk helicopters circling low (3,000 feet) over Manhattan.
> No, that is not normal pic.twitter.com/DaFByrAX3O

> — Jason Rabinowitz (@AirlineFlyer) December 13, 2016

> A video of the plane that's been circling Manhattan pic.twitter.com/Bsj5ANEeW1

> — Alp Ozcelik (@alplicable) December 13, 2016

> Why is this plane circulating so low in Manhattan?! It brings back bad memories:( @CNN pic.twitter.com/Y11GcISeqp

> — Erdal Kuyumcu (@Erdalkuyumcu) December 13, 2016

> #Military #plane C-130? Circling around #Manhattan. Anyone have answers? pic.twitter.com/U6Q7r9bvmZ

> — Sasha Moses (@sashamoses76) December 13, 2016

> Military plane over Manhattan #usaf pic.twitter.com/WqTydmmKaT

> — Efren Castillo (@efrencast) December 13, 2016

> Fyi, Air Mobility Command told me they don't know why a military-seeming plane is flying around Manhattan. Said they found out 5 min ago. pic.twitter.com/kInHwwIcP5

> — Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) December 13, 2016

> Anybody know about the #plane circling #Manhattan right now? @NYPDnews @BilldeBlasio pic.twitter.com/3Men3dJF7z

> — The Community NYC (@TheCommunityNYC) December 13, 2016

> What's happening? I was asking myself the same thing! Military looking plane circling Manhattan?! pic.twitter.com/0D5HKYNGHj

> — elvan (@islandLostFound) December 13, 2016

> My contribution to the mysterious plane that circled Manhattan coverage pic.twitter.com/cIVeQsfUyL

> — Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) December 13, 2016

An Air Mobility spokesperson told Mashable they've been trying to get in touch with the New York National Guard but, "We've been unable to get a hold of them at this point."

Additional reporting by Colin Daileda.