LoCO readers have been downright bursting with curiosity today.

“What’s the deal with the Navy planes that have been circling ACV for the last half hour?” asked one.

“What’s with the giant U.S. Navy plane flying circles?” asked another.

So we called up Humboldt County Aviation Programs Coordinator Emily Jacobs, who gave us the skinny. Turns out the California Redwood Coast — Humboldt County Airport (call letters ACV) “just happens to be instrument-landing-system certified to practice missed approaches,” Jacobs said.

That’s right. Navy personnel are flying in circles — in what appears to be a Lockheed C-130 Hercules — so they can practice these “touch and go” landings. Sounds fun!