Hercs - NVG ops?
A question for those with some knowledge of night ops.
Last night about 8.30pm (EDST) I heard what sounded like a Hercules pass overhead, and unless it was a particularly noisy variant, it also sounded like it was at less than LSALT. Our elevation is 3600' and grid LSALT here is 6600'. There is no instrument approach that would allow that altitude, and no airfield with lights within 3NM. It was dark.
IF my observations were reasonably accurate, my question is whether use of NVG in military night ops allows operation at lower levels that NVFR. Any other explanations?
I look forward to the replies.
Cheers,
Nivo