Many have taken to social media to speculate on a huge rumbling sound heard over parts of Salisbury at around 11pm last night (Wednesday, November 10).

The Journal understands that this was caused by planes, originating in RAF Fairford, heading to Africa.

Two Rockwell B-1 Lancers from the 9th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, flew a Bomber Task Force mission over Camp Lemonnier, Dijbouti today (November 11).

The mission originated from Royal Air Force Fairford, in Gloucestershire.

The bomber planes flew alongside two French Mirages, as well as two UK and two US F-35s from UK Carrier Strike Group’s HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The task served as a "collective commitment to stability and security in the Horn of Africa", according to Major General Gregory K. Anderson, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Director of Operations.

According to Africa Command, the mission also exercised the US aircrews' ability to operate in a variety of airspaces.

'It was a deep rumble'

One concerned Harnham resident described the noise: "I wondered if it was Biden being flown back from COP26 with a fleet of helicopters around him - that's how it felt.

"It was a really deep rumble, I knew it was something in the sky but it just went on and on and on.

"It felt like the world was going to end."

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