Here’s why military helicopters have been flying over Greater Victoria

If you’ve spotted a pair of dark military helicopters flying over Greater Victoria recently, you’re certainly not alone.

The uncommon aircraft have caught the attention of residents across the region, with several taking to social media to ask why they’re flying overhead, sometimes in pairs and during the evening hours.

Sightings have been reported around Langford, Colwood and other parts of the West Shore, with some residents noting that the helicopters don’t appear on popular flight-tracking apps.

In a Reddit discussion posted on October 19th, one resident asked whether anyone knew what the pair of dark-coloured helicopters had been doing.

“I’ve seen a pair of helicopters flying around lately,” the person wrote, adding that they couldn’t find the aircraft on flight radar.

Others quickly chimed in, reporting similar sightings near the Costco in Langford and over Colwood.

A separate discussion on October 21st raised the same question after two black helicopters were spotted heading toward Royal Bay.

As it turns out, there’s a military exercise underway in the region.

The Canadian Armed Forces announced earlier this month that members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command would be conducting routine training around Greater Victoria from October 9th to 30th.

According to the military, residents may see or hear up to three CH-146 Griffon helicopters, along with military vessels, participating in exercises throughout the area.

Training is scheduled to take place between 2 p.m. and 1 a.m., meaning helicopter activity could continue well into the evening and overnight hours.

The CH-146 Griffon is a multi-purpose military helicopter used by the Royal Canadian Air Force for several roles, including tactical transportation, reconnaissance, surveillance and special operations support.

While the military has not publicly detailed the specific activities involved in the Greater Victoria exercises, the aircraft and timing are consistent with the sightings residents have been discussing online.

Some social media users have also identified the helicopters as belonging to 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, a Canadian military unit that supports special operations missions. However, that specific identification has not been confirmed.

The military has said it will make efforts to minimize disruptions to surrounding communities during the training.

For anyone wondering whether they’ll see the helicopters again, the exercises are scheduled to continue until the end of the month.

Have you seen the helicopters flying around Greater Victoria? Let us know in the comments section below.