Two Navy Pilots Rescued After Their F-14 Crashes in Iraq

Associated Press ^ | Apr 1, 2003 | Associated Press

[mdittmar]

Two U.S. Navy pilots were rescued Tuesday when their F-14 Tomcat crashed in southern Iraq, the Navy said. Both pilots were in good condition, the Navy said in a statement. The crash was not believed to be due to hostile fire.

The fighter jet, flying from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in the Persian Gulf, was on a combat mission when it crashed, the statement said.

[mdittmar]

A damn good day today.

Remember those who have given,

"The Last Full Measure of Devotion"

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

This is the third aircraft accident that I count in the last 24 hours (S-3 Viking loss off a carrier, AV-8B Harrier off USS Nassau, and this incident). It just goes to show how dangerous military flying is. At least we've gotten everybody back so far.

[Boundless]

> It just goes to show how dangerous military flying is.

My impression is that except for rotary wing, we're still near
the peacetime accident rate, based on accidents per number
of flown hours (which hours are way higher than usual).

But yes, mil av is dangerous. Even the peacetime mil accident
rate would be unacceptable for commercial av.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Right on. Our military people do a fantasic job of minimizing the serious danger. Landing an airplane or helicopter on a boat just isn't inherently safe, and flying in a warzone isn't either. Under the wartime circumstances, I think they're doing great.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Lousy time to lose your ride...the war just started!