Navy Fighter Jets Crash in Persian Gulf (All Pilots Ejected Safely)

AP via Breitbart ^ | Jan 7 02:06 PM US/Eastern | By LOLITA C. BALDOR

[dr_who_2]

You’re correct. Preliminary reports indicate that it’s Godzilla’s fault. Don’t mess with Godzilla.

[M. Espinola]

Thank G-d our airmen were unharmed.

[RDTF]

more info:

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/three-aviators-safe-after-navy-jets-collide-arabian-gulf

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
January 8, 2008
Matthew Jones

Oceana-Based Jets Collide In Gulf; Aviators Safe

Two F/A-18 Super Hornets with the Truman Strike Group apparently collided in midair Monday in the Persian Gulf.

The three aviators were rescued, but both planes were destroyed.

The crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. local time in the northern part of the Gulf, said Lt. John Gay, a Navy spokesman with the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The planes were patrolling about 20 miles from the carrier Harry S. Truman “to ensure maritime security operations” when the incident happened, Gay said.

The aviators ejected. They were rescued and taken back to the aircraft carrier. They were medically evaluated and appeared to be in good condition, Gay said.

The crash is under investigation, he said. Meanwhile, the Truman Strike Group was able to continue normal operations, part of the routine U.S. presence in the region.

The planes were part of Carrier Air Wing 3. One plane was carrying two aviators.

Carrier Air Wing 3 includes strike fighter squadrons VFA-11, VFA-32, VFA-37 and VFA-105, which are assigned to Oceana Naval Air Station.

One of the fighters, a two-seater F/A-18F, belonged to strike fighter squadron 11, known as the Red Rippers. The other, a one-seater F/A-18E, belonged to strike fighter squadron 105, known as the Gunslingers.

The air wing also includes Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron VAQ-130, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-126, and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-7.

Midair collisions occur periodically during flight training, but crashes such as Monday’s - which happened during actual flight operations - are rare.

-snip-

A single Super Hornet costs $57 million, according to the Navy.

[stuartcr]

What about people whose ‘knowledge’ is different? If it is the truth, why should it matter if someone acknowledges it?

[jhpigott]

Interesting write up. “Midair collisions occur periodically during flight training, but crashes such as Monday’s - which happened during actual flight operations - are rare.”

Also kinda contradicts what was reported yesterday that these 2 F-18s were providing air support over Iraq, rather they were to ensure maritime activities.

[ChinaThreat]

I still don’t get it. Why would they be “obligated” to release any more details? They don’t have to release anything. The anonymous quote made it public. The quote was published, albeit anonymously, so the media is still going to ask questions.

And it was published on the fleet’s web page right after the AP put it on the wire....Some low life Pentagon pencil pusher had his self-important minute of fame.

I just don’t see the logic in your statement.

There is a reason you don’t broadcast your losses, especially in this area of operations. If for no other reason than propaganda material for the enemy.

We can agree to disagree, but if the Pentagon wanted to issue a written statement they could have accomplished the same goal. It only makes them look like they don’t have control of their people when things are published “anonymously”. I don’t see what purpose it serves?

[magslinger]

OK, my apologies to all the VAQ's and VMAQ's, I thought I'd read that the Prowler had been replaced by a F/A18 variant.

[Broker]

Two birds are down from a “midair” collision. All-the-while, Iranian small boats were harassing our surface combatants. Must we believe these are two separate incidents? This leaves me puzzled and skeptical.

Persian Gulf is has innumerable potential hostiles able and perhaps willing to down F/A/E birds.

Once down, aircrew and platforms are highly desirable items. Iranian’s would like to capture these and go into harms way to do it.

It seems to me like the headlines are well placed, fragmented and a superficial veneer disguising some hot stuff.

[Rick.Donaldson]

I question the validity of EVERY piece of news.

Especially by certain news agencies.

Unless I see at least THREE separate sources for the news, it just isn’t news.