Sudbury residents witness military exercise in the skies above Long Lake

Military plane and parachutes spotted in the sky above Long Lake area of Sudbury as the Royal Canadian Air Force drops in for an exercise. Feb. 18/21 (Photo courtesy Chris Ransom)

SUDBURY — Curious minds were racing in Sudbury as a military plane and parachutes were spotted in the sky above the Long Lake area of the city Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Air Force said it is part of a search and rescue training operation.

Joined by the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, a total of 18 people were on the ground and in the air taking part in different scenarios.

"The scenario was to escort an airplane that would be in difficulty and a simulated plane that would crash into the ground and we had to dispatch equipment and also search and rescue technicians to help members who would be on the ground if they were hurt," said Major Marie-Hélène Marseille of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Officials say this type of training takes place frequently in order to stay up-to-date should a situation occur.