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Navy Fighter Jets Crash in Persian Gulf (All Pilots Ejected Safely)
AP via Breitbart ^ | Jan 7 02:06 PM US/Eastern | By LOLITA C. BALDOR

Posted on 01/07/2008 11:20:19 AM PST by maquiladora

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. Navy fighter jets plunged into the Persian Gulf Monday, after what initial reports suggest was a mid-air collision, a defense official said.

All three pilots ejected safely from the planes and were headed back to the USS Harry Truman, the aircraft carrier they were operating from, according to the official, who requested anonymity because the information was preliminary and not yet released publicly. No other details or the crash were released.

One of the F-18 jets that crashed held two pilots, the other held just one.

The crash occurred at about 1 p.m. EST.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 200801; 20080107; crash; eject; f18; gulf; navair; navy; persiangulf; planecrash; usn; ussharrytruman
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To: RightWhale

You’re correct. Preliminary reports indicate that it’s Godzilla’s fault. Don’t mess with Godzilla.


61 posted on 01/07/2008 8:09:29 PM PST by dr_who_2
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To: maquiladora

Thank G-d our airmen were unharmed.


62 posted on 01/08/2008 1:57:34 AM PST by M. Espinola (Freedom is never 'free')
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To: maquiladora

more info:

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/three-aviators-safe-after-navy-jets-collide-arabian-gulf

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
January 8, 2008
Matthew Jones

Oceana-Based Jets Collide In Gulf; Aviators Safe

Two F/A-18 Super Hornets with the Truman Strike Group apparently collided in midair Monday in the Persian Gulf.

The three aviators were rescued, but both planes were destroyed.

The crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. local time in the northern part of the Gulf, said Lt. John Gay, a Navy spokesman with the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. The planes were patrolling about 20 miles from the carrier Harry S. Truman “to ensure maritime security operations” when the incident happened, Gay said.

The aviators ejected. They were rescued and taken back to the aircraft carrier. They were medically evaluated and appeared to be in good condition, Gay said.

The crash is under investigation, he said. Meanwhile, the Truman Strike Group was able to continue normal operations, part of the routine U.S. presence in the region.

The planes were part of Carrier Air Wing 3. One plane was carrying two aviators.

Carrier Air Wing 3 includes strike fighter squadrons VFA-11, VFA-32, VFA-37 and VFA-105, which are assigned to Oceana Naval Air Station.

One of the fighters, a two-seater F/A-18F, belonged to strike fighter squadron 11, known as the Red Rippers. The other, a one-seater F/A-18E, belonged to strike fighter squadron 105, known as the Gunslingers.

The air wing also includes Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron VAQ-130, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-126, and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-7.

Midair collisions occur periodically during flight training, but crashes such as Monday’s - which happened during actual flight operations - are rare.

-snip-

A single Super Hornet costs $57 million, according to the Navy.


63 posted on 01/08/2008 4:57:40 AM PST by RDTF
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To: UCANSEE2

What about people whose ‘knowledge’ is different? If it is the truth, why should it matter if someone acknowledges it?


64 posted on 01/08/2008 5:56:53 AM PST by stuartcr (Election year.....Who we gonna hate, in '08?)
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To: RDTF; jeffers; Dog; Cap Huff

Interesting write up. “Midair collisions occur periodically during flight training, but crashes such as Monday’s - which happened during actual flight operations - are rare.”

Also kinda contradicts what was reported yesterday that these 2 F-18s were providing air support over Iraq, rather they were to ensure maritime activities.


65 posted on 01/08/2008 7:20:18 AM PST by jhpigott
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To: Drew68

I still don’t get it. Why would they be “obligated” to release any more details? They don’t have to release anything. The anonymous quote made it public. The quote was published, albeit anonymously, so the media is still going to ask questions.

And it was published on the fleet’s web page right after the AP put it on the wire....Some low life Pentagon pencil pusher had his self-important minute of fame.

I just don’t see the logic in your statement.

There is a reason you don’t broadcast your losses, especially in this area of operations. If for no other reason than propaganda material for the enemy.

We can agree to disagree, but if the Pentagon wanted to issue a written statement they could have accomplished the same goal. It only makes them look like they don’t have control of their people when things are published “anonymously”. I don’t see what purpose it serves?


66 posted on 01/08/2008 8:37:59 AM PST by ChinaThreat (s)
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To: A.A. Cunningham; Yo-Yo
OK, my apologies to all the VAQ's and VMAQ's, I thought I'd read that the Prowler had been replaced by a F/A18 variant.
67 posted on 01/08/2008 1:33:13 PM PST by magslinger (cranky right-winger)
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To: RDTF
Two birds are down from a “midair” collision. All-the-while, Iranian small boats were harassing our surface combatants. Must we believe these are two separate incidents? This leaves me puzzled and skeptical.

Persian Gulf is has innumerable potential hostiles able and perhaps willing to down F/A/E birds.

Once down, aircrew and platforms are highly desirable items. Iranian’s would like to capture these and go into harms way to do it.

It seems to me like the headlines are well placed, fragmented and a superficial veneer disguising some hot stuff.

68 posted on 01/08/2008 4:45:43 PM PST by Broker (Grandpa Petti Bones wants to know.)
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To: stuartcr

I question the validity of EVERY piece of news.

Especially by certain news agencies.

Unless I see at least THREE separate sources for the news, it just isn’t news.


69 posted on 01/09/2008 10:48:22 AM PST by Rick.Donaldson (http://www.transasianaxis.com - Visit for lastest on DPRK/Russia/China/Etc --Fred Thompson for Prez.)
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