US F-16 fighter jet crashes off South Korea's south-western coast

new.com.au / Yonhap ^ | 09-09-03

[Brian S]

US F-16 fighter jet crashes From correspondents in Seoul September 9, 2003

A UNITED States airforce F-16C fighter jet crashed off South Korea's south-western coast today and the pilot aboard was missing, a US military spokesman said.

The F-16C Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 35th Fighting Squadron based in the US airbase in Kunsan city crashed about 10:05 am (11:05 AEST), 90km south-west of the Kunsan airbase, the spokesman said.

At the time of the incident, the plane was on a routine training sortie, he said.

"The condition of the pilot was unknown at this time," he said, adding a board of experts would investigate the incident.

Yonhap news agency said the pilot was able to escape before the crash and helicopters were combing the area.

[Brian S]

U.S. Jet Fighter Crashes into Yellow Sea

SEOUL. Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. jet fighter crashed Tuesday into the Yellow Sea off Gunsan, North Jeolla Province. The pilot was known to have escaped, according to the police.

In the 10:05 a.m. incident, the fate of the F-16 pilot was not immediately known.

[Peach]

Oh, no. Prayers being sent for good news by morning.

[amom]

The pilot was known to have escaped

Good news?

[Defender2]

Hopefully Air Sea Rescue will be picking him up shortly. My prayers go with him.

[xm177e2]

Why are we wasting any of our soldiers on the South Koreans? They made their choice, they voted for a left-wing fanatic who wants Sunshine, lollypops, and Kim Jong-il. We turn tail and run as far away from that accursed peninsula as we can. We should not expend a single drop of American blood to protect people that spit on us and embrace a mad dictator that starves their cousins. When more than half of them are ready to deal with Kim Jong-il realistically, we should go back--but not a moment sooner.

[Defender2]

I served in the Republic Of Korea. Chosen, Land of the Morning Calm!!!! Your words are not true!!!! The Majority of the South Koreans are staunchly allied to the U.S.. Not far from where I was based over there, at the time it was President Chun, They erected along Freedom Highway a Monument dedicated to the U.S. Serviceman Who Fought and sometimes died to keep the R.O.K. a Free Nation not undeer Communist rule!!!! I was based near a large sprawling Walled City, The people there treated us like Kings. In the neihboring towns and villages We treated each other with mutual respect. We have helped train there Military there since the Early 50's. They are a highly trained and dedicated fighting force highly trained trained in the Martial Arts as well as Conventional fighting. Our troops and their troops train together all the time and have mutual trust and respect of each other. The South Korean Military is a fine fighting force, Very Tough as some of their units fought alongside us in Vietnam. The North Vietnamese had a definite respect for R.O.K. forces As R.O.K troops fought VERY MEAN!!!! You definitely need to study the history of the Korean war and subsequent R.O.K. history before spouting off like that.

[Defender2]

I served in the Republic Of Korea. Chosen, Land of the Morning Calm!!!! Your words are not true!!!! The Majority of the South Koreans are staunchly allied to the U.S.. Not far from where I was based over there, at the time it was President Chun, They erected along Freedom Highway a Monument dedicated to the U.S. Serviceman Who Fought and sometimes died to keep the R.O.K. a Free Nation not undeer Communist rule!!!! I was based near a large sprawling Walled City, The people there treated us like Kings. In the neihboring towns and villages We treated each other with mutual respect. We have helped train there Military there since the Early 50's. They are a highly trained and dedicated fighting force highly trained trained in the Martial Arts as well as Conventional fighting. Our troops and their troops train together all the time and have mutual trust and respect of each other. The South Korean Military is a fine fighting force, Very Tough as some of their units fought alongside us in Vietnam. The North Vietnamese had a definite respect for R.O.K. forces As R.O.K troops fought VERY MEAN!!!! You definitely need to study the history of the Korean war and subsequent R.O.K. history before spouting off like that.

[xm177e2]

I understand that older Koreans tend to be pretty conservative, decent people, and I was aware that Koreans had served honorably in Vietnam. But the fact remains that more than half of the Korean voters voted for Sunshine (corrupt coddling of Kim Jong-il) instead of realism. The younger generation needs to grow up. Maybe pulling our troops out would help them to understand. Right now, they probably think we want to be in South Korea as part of some imperialist plot or something. They think there's something in it for us and they're sure we'll help them if they ever get in trouble--so why shouldn't they take such an irresponsible attitude?

If the South is invaded, American troops should fight alongside South Korean allies. But if they're going to keep playing Sunshine, we should withdraw our forces. We can always send them back (even if that means in the event of an invasion the South will suffer more than if we had left the troops there).

[Defender2]

What you suggest is dangerous to say the least. "Attacks are based on perceptions of Weakness" Said by the President last night!!!! Thats the kind of thinking that leads to 09/11/01's and 12/07/41's. No thanks!!!!