Fort Bragg: Helicopters landed due to bad weather

People reported seeing three helicopters flying low and slow over Holly Springs, downtown Raleigh and elsewhere in Wake County Monday afternoon. A viewer told WRAL News they came to rest off Rogers Road about half a mile from U.S. Highway 401.

Theresa Matula was riding her horse when she saw the helicopters land in the bean field.

“It was pretty bizarre," Matula said.

"You don't normally see helicopters landing in the field,” witness Tammy Boyle said.

Witness Tyler Williams said he thought the same thing. He was driving by on Rogers Road when he saw the helicopters land.

"I was thinking this is such a weird thing going on,” Williams said.

Police blocked off the area while the helicopters were on the ground. Those inside the helicopters told officers that they were not in any danger and that everybody was OK. However, they would not say what they were doing in the area.

Army officials later told WRAL News that the helicopters were from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and landed due to bad weather.

According to the regiment's Web site, the helicopters are "highly-modified" machines and are often used for night missions. The regiment has been involved in the war on terrorism since October 2001, and has provided support in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the Web site.