Posted on 02/03/2004 12:22:31 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Two F-14A Tomcats operating from USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in the Red Sea collided with each other while conducting basic daytime fighter maneuvers Feb. 2.
No one was injured during the incident, and both aircraft landed safely aboard Enterprise.
One F-14 sustained minor damage to its right wingtip, and the other’s right vertical stabilizer had nearly been sheared off. The Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 F-14s are “Checkmates” from Fighter Squadron (VF) 211, home-based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
The incident is under investigation, and Enterprise is still able to continue its present mission.
The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc.
040125-N-1928O-087 Persian Gulf (Jan. 25, 2004) – An F-14 Tomcat assigned to the “Checkmates” of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) prepares to land on the flight deck aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are in the Arabian Gulf on a regularly scheduled deployment, conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the continued war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Mark O'Donald. (RELEASED)
The reason that the Air Wing 7 is the only wing with two Tomcat squadrons, is because the Pukin Dogs specialty is TARPS. (Tactical Airborn Reconnaissance Pod System)
It will be the Dogs, coming in low and hot snapping pictures of ememy locations and beaming them back via satellite to the ship for printing before they can even turn back to the boat.
In addition to TARPS, this Air Wing will be moving mud in the Bombcat configuration, dropping JDAMS on Osama's head if they find the bastard.
Is this the main insignia of the Dogs? Cause this is the one on the sign in front of the barracks. I drive past it every time I go to the bank on base. *s*
An "accidental" low-level fuel dump or two during an outdoor barbeque might be fun. Give the steaks that nice, bracing taste of kerosene.
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