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Posted on 04/08/2002 4:13:33 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
04/08/02 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- Always a busy hub and platform for global reach, after Sept. 11, the base here has become even busier. Operations tempo, deployments and constant alert status are an even more ingrained part of life.
While much attention has been focused on the base’s support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Travis has also become an important base for the homeland defense mission, Operation Noble Eagle.
With Operation Noble Eagle came fighters on loan here, sitting on constant alert status and performing random combat air patrol missions in support of homeland defense in Northern California and the western United States.
Since the attacks, Travis has become a second home to Detachment 388, a small F-16 Fighting Falcon unit assigned here from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Its supersonic fighter aircraft are ready to go at a moment’s notice.
The F-16s, which can reach speeds of up to 1,500 mph, are loaded with deadly weapon systems, including radar-guided missiles, infrared-guided missiles and cannons. This single-engine aircraft is a multirole fighter with both air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
The aircrew and support people are here on a rotational basis but are always ready to go should the call come in for an intercept or an escort. They have become accustomed to instant noodles and other packaged food for meals, unless the barbecue is fired up outside their makeshift home on a carefully selected corner of the base’s 6,400 acres.
Maj. “Slim” Pickens, the Det. 388 commander, has his hands full. As one of the many layers of defense touched by this national crisis and the terrorist attacks, Det. 388 has been busy. At the same time, said Pickens, he and pilots in his command are confronting the never-before-considered thought of possibly shooting down a hijacked American passenger jet.
“To a man, it’s an abhorrent thing to do,” he said. “But if I take several lives in the air to save thousands on the ground, I know it’s the right thing to do.”
Pickens said the decision to engage and fire is not the pilot’s call.
“Military and civilian authorities at a much higher level than us let us know whether or not we need to do what might need to be done,” he said.
People from Det. 388 have been called to duty on a number of different occasions, including a potential intercept Jan. 31, when the Golden Gate Bridge had some unusual aircraft activity around it. As a cultural landmark, that bridge and San Francisco are potential targets.
Pickens said he and his pilots are truly proud to be in a position to protect their homeland should they be called upon.
“When you’re guarding your own back yard, you tend to be a little more vigilant,” he said. “I believe we all believe in exactly what we are doing.”
That's gotta be a wild ride!
Somehow the number 1350 mph is stuck in my head. Is this in a dive or do they have new engines or something ?
It's abhorrent, all right. And possibly unneccessary in the end.
But keeping the firearms out of the hands of airline pilots gives one less step on the road leading to the final destruction of the airliner, it's passengers and crew as a last resort which you may be ordered to do. This may be one case where a 9mm pistol can do more good than an AIM-9 or 20mm cannon.
Thanks Mineta. Thanks Ridge. And I hate to say it, but thanks, Bush!
If you have to do it, Major, at least you'll know who to "thank" for your future nightmares, besides the hijackers!
Is anyone a little concerned that shooting down airplanes full of innocent Americans is being called "safe"?
Is anyone disturbed that we are more than willing to shoot down American planes rather than take all actions necessary INSIDE the plane first?
Is seems we can't have armed pilots on board but, holly crap, we don't mind an armed fighter plane behind us to shoot us down!
You're OK, I understand. I agree that a pilot should be given a fair chance to defend himself, the crew, and the passengers. Shooting down an airliner with fighter jets should be the absolute last resort. I would like to see other lines of defense first, and armed pilots should be one of them.
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