U.S. military loses contact with two jets

San Diego Union Tribune & AP ^ | May 2, 2005

[jmc1969]

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The U.S. military said Tuesday it had lost contact with two jets flying in support of operations in Iraq.

The status of the two U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and their crew was not immediately known, the military said in a statement.

[Dog]

Huh?

[Bahbah]

Does not sound good.

[Dog Gone]

Well, they certainly aren't still flying. I hope the crew ejected safely.

[leadpenny]

I'm watching the BBC news and the reader just said they are from the Carl Vinson. No indication that enemey activity is to blame.

[Ken522]

Also reported on Fox News ...

[leadpenny]

enemy

[SmithL]

Two? I pray they're both OK, but I'm guessing that they ran into each other.

[Dog]

Mid-air collision I would guess..

[The KG9 Kid]

Indeed. Happens quite a lot right here in US territory.

[TexKat]

Mid-air collision I would guess..

Thats what was just reported on MSNBC.

[SIDENET]

Mid-air collision I would guess..

My guess is either that, or spatial disorientation and CFIT (controlled flight into terrain).

[TexKat]

Two U.S. Marine jets lost on Iraq mission-Centcom

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military lost contact Monday night with two Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet aircraft in Iraq, a statement said. The military said the two planes were from the USS Carl Vinson. The status of the crew is unknown and a search effort is under way.

The military statement said there was no initial indication of hostile fire in the area at the time contact was lost.

The U.S. military could not confirm by telephone any further details about whether the planes were single or two-seaters, could not say which squadron the aircraft were from or where the Carl Vinson was operating.

[Bahbah]

Oh crap. Sorry for the language.

[leadpenny]

That was my first thought.

[TexKat]

The F/A-18 Hornet, like the one shown here, has a crew of two people.

Bombs kill 13, wound 50 in Baghdad, Mosul

(CNN) -- A search is under way for the pilots of two Marine Corps F/A-18 jets that were lost Monday while flying in support of the war in Iraq, Navy officials said.

Navy officials told CNN they believe the jets collided with each other in bad weather during the routine mission.

The crew of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson lost contact with the planes about 10:10 p.m. (2:10 p.m. ET), a U.S. military statement said.

[prairiebreeze]

Dang. Prayers for their safe recovery and for their families.

[SoCalPol]

Most Marine aircraft from Miramar MAS San Diego

[pfflier]

Collision

[blackdog]

This may be one scenario where not being under risk from hostile enemy fire can get you killed. When you're constantly on edge, a cloudy night IMC, safe from ground based fire can let you relax, which is not always good.

Anyone know if they were under AWACS or what IFR separation rules are for a fighter group? Do they maintain a 500' altitude difference? Where are they getting their local altimeter settings from or are they using altitude reporting radar?