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Posted on 02/22/2012 5:33:57 AM PST by jaydubya2
The world of military aviation is an environment intolerant of screw-ups. You might think the career of a US Navy junior lieutenant who intentionally shot a live missile at an Air Force F-4 during a training exercise, nearly killing two airmen, would have been over. Instead, the Obama administration has nominated him for promotion to Admiral.
The Washington Times reports that among the list of nominees submitted to the Senate by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (pictured) is navy Reserve Captain Timothy W. Dorsey who, on September 22, 1987, was taking part in a non-fire flight exercise over the Mediterranean in an F-14. He was reportedly given a command to simulate a missile firing, but instead armed a real Sidewinder missile without telling his back-seat radar intercept officer, and shot down another Air Force plane. Its two pilots ejected moments before the RF-4C exploded.
The 1988 investigative report was scathing. The Associated Press got a copy through the Freedom of Information Act. It reads, in part, "The destruction of USAF RF-4C was not the result of an accident, but the consequence of a deliberate act. His subsequent reaction demonstrated an absolute disregard of the known facts and circumstances.
“He failed to utilize the decision-making process taught in replacement training and reacted in a purely mechanical manner. The performance of Lieutenant Timothy W. Dorsey raises substantial doubt as to his capacity for good, sound judgment."
Vice Admiral Kendall Moranville, who had headed the 6th Fleet, added, "We necessarily rely on the self-discipline and judgment of pilots to prevent such incidents...Nothing, in my opinion, can mitigate Lieutenant Dorsey’s basic error in judgment."
Retired F-14 pilot Jon Ault tells the Times, "I would never have guessed he’d ever make it to commander, much less admiral...I thought his career was over back when the shoot-down happened. He refused to accept any blame...I mean, the guy did it on purpose."
In the nearly 25 years since the missile incident, Dorsey has built a resume which includes becoming a reserve intelligence officer, then inspector general. He's also earned a law degree from the University of Richmond. But how did his career survive that 1987 incident, and the harsh reviews which followed?
It's probably just coincidence, but at the time of the incident, Dorsey's father, James Dorsey, was commander of the aircraft carrier USS America. A year later, he became assistant deputy chief of naval operations at the Pentagon and later became a three-star vice admiral.
Captain Dorsey currently serves as inspector general for Navy Reserve Detachment 106 in Norfolk, VA. He declined to discuss the 1987 incident with the Times, saying he's about to take a Navy Reserve intelligence post, and a high profile in the press would be inappropriate.
John McCain destroyed three planes during his brief flying career.
2 more, and he would be considered an ‘ace’ by the enemy.
Gee that sounds so familiar... F-off and f-up naval pilot given inumerable passes and promotions because he's an admiral's son. Why this fella is on the fast-track to becoming a GOP presidential candidate!
The guy’s dad was a three star admiral; you expected this incident would end his career?
John McCain’s father and grandfather were 4-star admirals, and McCain was a complete screw-up at the Naval Academy. I know someone who went to the Academy with him and said the surest way to graduate that year was to be ahead of McCain in the class. McCain graduated ahead of only three other midshipmen.
I don't understand how he made it to LCDR.
I remember the incident. The recon RF-4c was from Zweibreucken AB Germany, where I was assigned at the time! It was quite a big item for some time, and even more so when the results of the investigation and “non”punishment was announced. Strange, I had almost forgotten the incident!
Thanks, I think you win the prize for the best explanation with that one for how he went up the ranks.
``We shot you down,`` Frost told them. ``We really shot you down and we`re really sorry.``
``You`re kidding, right?`` Sprouse asked.
``No, we shot you down,`` the captain said.
``Now, seriously-you`re kidding-right?`` Sprouse asked again.
``In this case, I wish I was,`` Frost said.
``Geez, guys, I thought we were on the same side,`` Sprouse said.
``Well, normally we are,`` Frost said. ``Today it didn`t work out like that.``
``I kind of laughed for lack of really anything better to do,`` Ross said. ``If you take a missile in a gas-filled airplane, you`re really lucky if you walk away.``
The Navy treated their Air Force guests royally during their overnight stay aboard the Saratoga, home to 5,400 members and 90 aircraft. ``They put us in a ward, fed us good, gave us a Navy uniform, tried to convert us,`` Sprouse said.
``They tailored our pants and shirts right there,`` Ross said. ``They got this little ditty bag full of Saratoga gifts, the Frisbee, the bumper sticker and coffee cup, and this kind of stuff.``
Then the pair was escorted to dinner. ``It just so happened that the best meal on the boat that night was in the squadron of the guy who shot us down,`` Ross said. ``Everybody was falling all over themselves to be kind.``
Later that evening, Sprouse met Dorsey. ``I`m sorry,`` Dorsey said.
``That`s okay,`` Sprouse responded. ``I`m alive and right now that`s the only thing that really matters to me.``
``I`m sorry,`` Dorsey repeated.
``We shook hands, for the record,`` Sprouse recalled.
Later, Dorsey reflected on the day`s events. ``Under no circumstances do I consider myself trigger-happy,`` he said.
``If called upon to do so, I`ve been trained to react decisively and smartly. In this most unfortunate mishap, I believe that I indeed reacted decisively and, at the time, with the information I had received and interpreted, believed I was acting smartly.
``If flying tomorrow, I`d have a heck of a lot more things I`d do differently.``
But Dorsey won`t get that chance. The Navy ruled that he will be allowed to keep his pilot wings, but he never again will be allowed to fly a Navy aircraft.
Maybe he was “selected”, like Obama, years ago for his radical political beliefs and steered into a position of power over the years. Where can a subversive Commie rat do more damage than in the intelligence side? And then put into a position of real power as an admiral. I don’t like the smell of this at all!!!
He screwed up, big time.
One question, though: knowing he was going up for a training exercise, WHY were live missiles loaded onto his plane?
ph
Screwing up PT-109 didn’t stop Jack Kennedy from getting the White House.
I believe his father was an Admiral. I’m sure that’s just a coincidence...
For you Army/Air Force dudes (Marines know better) A Navy Captain is O-6.
I was in the Air Force at the time and do recall the incident. They brought the Air Force pilots onboard the Carrier after they were picked up and according to the rumor mill they were ready to throw the Navy pilot overboard given half a chance. Not likely though with 5,000 Navy personell in their way.
IIRC John McCain crashed five planes before he was finally shot down by the North Vietnamese. His father was an Admiral too... This has always been a weakness in the Navy.
This is indicative of the sorry state of the command structure of the U.S.Navy. Nit wits who should never have been allowed to remain on duty after their initial commitment are the very ones who are being given the boot for sheer inability.
That must be some kind of record.
We are aware of that.
“I don’t understand how a Navy that will pidgeon hole a Captain who grounds a vessel, no matter the circumstances, allows some screw up like this to become an Admiral.”
You don’t think “strategically”....a man with this pedigree is “indispensable” to his superiors...because of what they have on him..he is highly controllable...IMHO...Panetta knows EXACTLY what he is doing.
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