Have a KC-10 loitering in the area right now. Caught a couple of KC-135’s in refueling formation over the Adirondacks on Tuesday. Caught AF1 night before the election… random C-17’s out of New Jersey and Mass all the time…
Not sure it would have mattered whether your system was logging. The FR24 screenshot shows a unrealistic hex code of 249249 which is variously reported on the internet as a US Navy E-6B or a Royal Navy Sea King!
So perhaps it was E-6B 164405 if callsigns are retained by the same airframe? But having followed the track to Oklahoma, after descending the track is less certain and it vanishes. Although nearby at the same altitude RUFF7 appears - that is supposed to be E-6B 164404. Mysterious.
As to why it was circling? I doubt anyone will say.
E-6 probably refueling. The only reason why it was noticed, was because of the contrail. If it weren’t for that, noone would have paid attention. Like caferacer941 said, if people really paid attention they would notice even more interesting aircraft in their skies. This was just an E-6 refueling.
It’s probably just a training mission. They fly all the time here, as I see them doing touch and go’s three at a time, and then head off to do nav training, etc.
I don’t think they were air refueling as there was only one contrail. Plus the E-6 usually has to descend to about 28k to do its AR. Probably wouldn’t contrail there.
The only reason why it was noticed, was because of the contrail.
We had a similar situation (more than once) here in the UK before the 2014 Olympics. Lots of circular trails from E-3. Usually these operate below trailing level so it was suggested that this was a demonstration of surveillance capabilities.
And of course since you will be changing president, conspiracy theories to be devised