Did you see them? Black Hawk helicopters spotted hovering over VyStar Arena as authorities rappel from aircraft

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Did you see helicopters flying near downtown Jacksonville on Wednesday afternoon?

If you did, you managed to catch a glimpse of a joint training session between the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and federal agents.

Video captured by a News4JAX photographer showed two Blackhawk helicopters hovering over VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena before law enforcement agents can be seen rappelling from a rope down to the roof of a nearby building.

When News4JAX reached out to VyStar Arena for comment, it said, “We had an exercise today in conjunction with local and federal agencies.”

JSO provided us with a similar statement, saying, “We were participating in a joint training session in that area earlier today with our federal partners. I would imagine this was what was observed.”

On Sept. 5, police in Houston, Texas, sent out a statement saying that it would be working with the Department of Defense through Sept. 19, adding that residents may hear noises or see helicopters throughout the city as exercises were conducted.

Residents in Houston reported seeing Black Hawk helicopters flying near homes.