Was out walking home from high school one day around 1985 or '86 in a small central Newfoundland town (Buchans) when I saw an EA-6b drop out of some clouds that were, oh, I'd say a 1000' up. I happened to be looking directly at it before it could be heard. It was moving fast - cold see condensation coming off it. He (they?) probably had no clue he was coming in hot & low over a small town (not much settlement in central Nfld) & was likely as surprised as I was! I, too, heard the blessed sound of freedom that day.
Of course, for me, it was just another aspect of my 'love affair' w/ the USN given my youthful exposure to some awesome folks stationed at the now-defunct US Nav Fac Argentia... Our family have made some life-long connections w/ now-retired servicemen of the USN.
On another note, I saw two F-14's also drop outta the clouds over Buchans one summer day. They were winging hard, left & right to try to get a handle on the town & where they must be... They were swept forward, they closed up, dropped 'em back & nailed it outta there. I can recall the echoing booming rumble coming back at different frequencies & time delays from the surrounding landscape as the pair made themselves scarce. THAT was awesome.
In each instance, the birds were heading northbound, I assume, to Goose Bay - just a guess.
Did I say that I love the USN...?
John.