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.
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.
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.