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Sight of plane circling Manhattan causes stir on social media

People on social media were in a frenzy Monday afternoon at the sight of a plane appearing to be circling Manhattan. 

“This plane that’s been circling over (sic) manhattan is starting to freak me out,” one social media user wrote.

Many others took to social media to question why the plane was circling. 

Other social media users pointed out the plane seemed to be a C130, a military aircraft.

A Washington Post reporter said on Twitter that Col. Broccoli of the 106th Rescue Wing said the C130 was doing “standard military training,” and it was cleared by the FAA. 

However, Eric Durr, Director of Public Affairs at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, told Mashable the plane was an HC-130, a search and rescue aircraft. 

The FAA said in a statement to Buzzfeed News that the plane was conducting an authorized flight over New York City. 

The 106th Rescue Wing did not immediately respond to CBS News for a request for comment. 

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