Posted on 02/20/2008 4:49:13 PM PST by BenLurkin
MIAMI (CBS News) ― The Air Force says both pilots from two missing fighter jets have been rescued in the Gulf of Mexico.
Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Shirley Pigott confirmed the pilots' rescue. Their single-seat F-15C Eagles disappeared about 2 p.m. CST Wednesday off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base.
More than 60 Coast Guard personnel had been involved in the search using multiple helicopters, cutters and jets, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless.
Air Force officials are investigating.
Coast guard officials in New Orleans told CBS News affiliate WWL-TV that they resonded to a distress call 40 miles off the coast from Tyndall Air Force Base.
A Coast Guard spokesperson in New Orleans also told CBS News Radio that a "good Samaritan" fishing vessel rescued one crew member.
The Air Force grounded all of its F-15s nearly 700 after the catastrophic failure of an F-15C during a routine training flight in Missouri in November. The pilot safely ejected.
Most were back in service by January, but others were grounded indefinitely after defects were found.
The Air Force began using the F-15C in 1979. The planes, built by McDonnell Douglas Corp., were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm and have since been used in Iraq, Turkey and Bosnia.
The planes can fly up to 65,000 feet and each costs about $30 million, according to the Air Force.
Just saw that.
Like I said on another thread though in the late 70’s birds went down all the time in training. They rated back page news and no mention on nightly world news. 24 hour a day news means we hear about this more. But I think the frequency of losses has declined significantly though. For example early in the Gulf War the Lincoln deployed to the PG for over six months and did missions. They didn’t even loose a plane doing so. That in itself it highly remarkable. The old rule was carriers went to see and people died. They still do as does Air Force, Marines, and Army. It’s part of the job & those doing it understand the risk.
Operating in the Gulf instead of Atlantic side probably spared the other. Much cooler sea temps on the Atlantic side and not much time to spare for extended S&R this time of year.
Thank you for your response, cva66snipe. I always hear about the f-15’s being old and that is the problem with them, could be that there is structual problems with the f-15.
“MIAMI (CBS News) The Air Force says both pilots from two missing
fighter jets have been rescued in the Gulf of Mexico.”
As a never-served civilian that is humbled by those that protect me...
I’ll let a better wordsmith express my feelings at this great news
(and note that my first recognition of this song/lyrics came from
hearing a quartet perform at Nixon’s memorial service):
http://www.lyricsandsongs.com/song/579985.html
http://www.hymns.me.uk/eternal-father-strong-to-save-hymn.htm
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro’ space,
Thro wind and storm, thro’ sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.
Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air! Amen.
Oh Trinity of love and pow’r,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e’er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.
For the original version, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_Father,_Strong_to_Save
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked’st on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
My law partner’s husband is the outgoing commander of that fighter wing. They know both pilots. Please pray for the deceased pilot’s family!!
just heard on Fox that one of the pilots died :(
I heard :(
Godspeed, airman..
I’m very sorry to hear this RDTF.
May God comfort the pilot’s family.
Well, these guys beat the Bermuda Triangle myth.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,331558,00.html
(AP)
“Air Force Pilot Dead After Likely Mid-Air Collision”
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — One of the F-15C fighter pilots involved in what the Air Force said was likely a mid-air collision Wednesday during a training mission has died.
The other is in goos condition at Eglin Hospital.”
They were 35 miles south of Panama City, nowhere near the Bermuda Triangle. And one of them didn't beat it.
Prayers for the family and the unit, and high praise for the Coast Guard who got 'em both back on dry land in an amazingly short time.
Well said.
Thanks,
I thought they were off the tip of Florida.
Sorry about that pilot being lost. I hope they recovered him.
Our prayers to his family.
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