OK, I'm watching the NBA playoffs, but have a couple minutes. Big Bruce, what did you mean when you said the skies went from clear to 100% cloud cover? I've seen clouds roll in and make for cloudy skies. You seem to be suggesting these were clouds made entirely out of contrails from airplanes. If so, that seems to be a wild exaggeration.
When conspiracy folks say they have done their research, it almost always means they have spent a lot of time on conspiracy web sites and are willing to accept everything they say. That isn't research. That's taking someone's word for something, usually without evidence or proof.
Please explain what jets taking off at an air force base has to do with this discussion.
Q: Where do contrails form?
A: Contrails are human-induced clouds that usually form at very high altitudes (usually above 8 km - about 26,000 ft) where the air is extremely cold (less than -40ºC). Because of this, contrails form not when an airplane is taking off or landing, but while it is at cruise altitude. (Exceptions occur in places like Alaska and Canada, where very cold air is sometimes found near the ground.) Thus, people who live under major air traffic routes, not people who live near major airports, are those who will see the most contrails. (However, some major airports are also under major air traffic routes, which can lead to confusion.) You can use an Appleman chart to predict contrail formation for your area. Of course, a contrail cannot form if no airplane passes through.
Contrail Education - FAQ
The above explanation states that contrails usually form at altitudes above 26,000 feet. You stated they can't form at that altitude, didn't you? Are you willing to now state that contrails can and do form at altitudes of 26,000 feet? They even form at much lower altitudes when cold air is found near the ground. So well under 20,000 feet. Contrails formed behind WWII bombers. They were flying under 20,000 feet.
What else do we need to discuss here? I think if you are willing to agree that contrails are condensation formed behind civilian aircraft and military aircraft at altitudes from under 20,000 feet and above, you will then begin to understand they are also harmless and not part of some government conspiracy. Commercial airliners coming and going from commercial airports can hardly be part of a government conspiracy. Agreed?
One last thing. Below the explanation of where contrails are formed, is a link to the article it came from. If you choose to carry on a debate on this topic, please post links to the locations you are getting your information from.