More or less...The correct terminology, though, is "Fuel-Air Explosive", which is a nasty little bugger. But an FAE would be the wrong ordinance to drop on a nuc plant. These things are mostly used for targets out in the open (but spread out) or in confined spaces (i.e. a cave, tunnel or something similar).
When I was an AO2 on the Ike, we very often had pilots returning from combat missions without their external tanks. They would accidentally jettison them or drop them in order to manuever somehwat better. It happens in the heat of combat or when someone is not focused on what they're doing. Sometimes, the tanks just weren't installed properly and they could be dropped or torn off by the slipstream.
Nope, sounds to me like someone made a mistake and there's a cover up/propaganda advantage to be gained.
Thanks for the info..FYI..somewhat related..I sae a show on the Discovery Channel early this week about the USS Ronald Raeagan..her maiden cruise from shipyard to San Diego. It said that unlike all previous CVNs, the Reagan has only THREE arresting wires, but they are much stronger...greater capacity..so that now planes returning with unused ordance...missiles, smart bombs..don't have to jettison them..then can land because the wires can take the added weight..would this also apply to drop tanks..and what about the risk of landing with ordance in the event of a crash?