Hornet, Marine Pilot Missing

Hornet, Marine Pilot Missing

Story Number: NNS040627-01
Release Date: 6/27/2004 8:08:00 PM

From USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

ABOARD USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (NNS) -- A U.S. Marine Corps pilot and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft operating from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) were reported missing June 27. The missing pilot has been identified as Capt. Franklin R. Hooks, II, 32, of Pasco, Fla.

Aircraft wreckage has been recovered approximately 60 miles south of the Azores in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Harry S. Truman and its embarked aircraft have covered more than 200 square miles of water in search of the pilot. Search and rescue efforts are continuing.

The pilot was conducting a routine training exercise when the incident occurred. The aircraft was reported missing at 12:30 a.m. Zulu June 27. The plane is one of 11 aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 115 “Silver Eagles” operating from Harry S. Truman. The squadron is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., and is one of eight squadrons that make up Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3.

The Harry S. Truman Strike Group is currently operating in the eastern Atlantic Ocean as part of Summer Pulse 04, the Navy’s first exercise of its new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

For related news, visit the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn75.

1 posted on 06/27/2004 6:01:54 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: TEXOKIE; xzins; Alamo-Girl; blackie; SandRat; Calpernia; SAMWolf; prairiebreeze; MEG33; ...

2 posted on 06/27/2004 6:02:32 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Pray is appropriate here for both the searchers and the pilot. It is very difficult to see a life raft at sea in most any type of sea state. They are so low in the water that the waves hide them most of the time. You have to be looking in the correct direction at precisely the time that the raft is on the wave crest. Hopefully, the searchers will know if he ditched successfully.

3 posted on 06/27/2004 6:09:24 PM PDT by Citizen Tom Paine (Hear us when we call to Thee for those in peril on the sea.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Lord have mercy. Find him, and bring him home.

4 posted on 06/27/2004 6:09:45 PM PDT by Alia (California -- It's Groovy! Baby!)

5 posted on 06/27/2004 6:26:06 PM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Oh brother, prayers for this warrior and for those who are looking for him. May God direct them to him.

6 posted on 06/27/2004 6:59:12 PM PDT by McGavin999 (If Kerry can't deal with the "Republican Attack Machine" how is he going to deal with Al Qaeda)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

The pilot was conducting a routine training exercise when the incident occurred.

There is nothing "routine" about operating an F/A-18 Hornet.

Hopefully, they'll pick up his beeper and SAR will scoop him up.

7 posted on 06/27/2004 7:07:45 PM PDT by facedown (Armed in the Heartland)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Thanks Ragtime.. add my prayers to the list..

8 posted on 06/27/2004 7:34:14 PM PDT by DollyCali ("Trying to keep the Freepers pulling in the same direction is like trying to herd cats." Richard Poe)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

I'm praying for him and his loved ones!

9 posted on 06/27/2004 7:57:20 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl

Prayers for the pilot, the searchers, and the pilot's loved ones.

10 posted on 06/27/2004 9:16:19 PM PDT by BagCamAddict (Sick of the sickness!! ROPMA !! Time to open up a can of whupass.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

OMG... I hope they find him :'(

Prayers that he is alive and will be found safe and sound...

11 posted on 06/27/2004 10:51:56 PM PDT by Tamzee (Noonan on Reagan, "...his leadership changed the world... As president, he was a giant.")

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794