Posted on 02/01/2017 9:11:12 AM PST by servo1969
A pair of F-16 jets struck two members of a ground-control party -- killing one -- after a training exercise went awry on Tuesday night, officials said in a Wednesday statement.
The F-16s were using unspecified munitions when the incident occurred at a range that's part of the White Sands Missile Range complex near Holloman Air Force Base in southern New Mexico.
Members of a ground-control party are controllers who provide guidance to military aircraft, including fighters attacking ground targets.
The person who was injured was released from a hospital after being treated for unspecified injuries, the statement said. Neither of the ground-control members' identities were released, nor were the pilots of the F-16s.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Prayers up for all concerned.
I read the report on Fox and it’s a little misleading. I went to Military.com and found a source with a little clearer wording. It was the munitions that struck the FAC, not the jets.
Been there. I think I was shot at more by the army and the air force during my time in the Marine Corps than the bad guys.
...my guess, a wayward MK82...from a night operation (training)
Could have been wrong data entry from the TACP. Not the first time that’s happened.
Not likely they were using PGMs. I think there’s a shortage of them. But maybe they were since it was a live fire exercise. If it was a noob TACP or they were practicing “danger close,” lots of things can go wrong.
Couldn’t it have been a two-man team?
Could have been 'buddy bombing', not the first time that has happened either.
Not sure what you mean, but a jet (flying I assume) striking people on the ground is very, very rare. Two jets striking people on the ground - not a chance.
“struck”? What does this mean?
During takeoff or landing the planes “struck” ground personel? That seems unlikely.
If it were cannon or other ordnance from the aircraft, then those items “struck” ground personel.
Who writes this stuff?
I thought I understood the situation as two people on the ground, not two jets. If I am wrong, then you would certainly be right.
It was two of each - “A pair of F-16 jets struck two members of a ground-control party ...”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.