No, It’s Not Red Dawn: Just a Routine Mission Over Williston North Dakota

Residents of Williston and Williams County have been abuzz with curiosity over a big grey plane flying low over the area. Our station has received several calls from concerned citizens, wondering if the town is under attack. Rest assured, folks, this isn’t a scene from "Red Dawn." The Wolverines can stand down.

In fact, the low-flying aircraft is part of a collaborative effort between the Williams County Vector Control District #1 and the United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) Youngstown Air Reserve Station, 910th Airlift Wing. From Wednesday, May 29 to Thursday, June 6, weather and conditions permitting, they’ll be conducting a wide-area larvicide mission along the Missouri River and west to the Trenton area.

So, what's this mission about? The aim is to target mosquito larvae, preventing them from becoming those pesky, biting adult mosquitoes that ruin our summer evenings. Unlike adulticide treatments, which are carried out near dusk to target adult mosquitoes, these larvicide treatments take place during the day. It's all part of an ongoing effort to keep our community comfortable and safe from mosquito-borne illnesses.

You will see a large military aircraft flying at low elevations during this period, but there's no need to worry. The mission is entirely routine and poses no threat. Instead of a Soviet invasion, it’s just our dedicated Air Force Reserve working to ensure we have fewer mosquito bites to contend with.

For those interested in more information about Vector Control and their efforts, you can visit their webpage here. So, next time you spot the grey plane soaring overhead, you can relax, knowing it's all part of a mosquito control mission and not the start of a "Red Dawn" scenario.