Posted on 02/19/2002 11:42:33 PM PST by kattracks
February 20, 2002 -- The Air Force admitted yesterday it goofed big-time when two low-flying F-16 jets jolted sleeping New Yorkers out of their beds earlier this week. A spokesman from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) told The Post it is investigating why the pair of jets buzzed Manhattan as they were making their way back to Atlantic City after a regular patrol. "The timing and location in this instance was poorly coordinated," said Maj. Donald Arias, a spokesman for the First Air Force/Continental U.S. NORAD Region based in Florida. "While returning from a CAP mission [Combat Air Patrol], two F-16 jets fighters dropped down to a low altitude before returning to their base in Atlantic City," he added. "They should not have been at that precise location at that particular time." Although stating the incident was still under investigation, Arias said the pilots did not break any regulations. The thunderous flyover left buildings shaking and windows rattling at about 4:30 on Monday morning. "I'm starting to wonder if it was two pilots joy riding," said one Manhattan resident who was awoken by the jets. "I appreciate their protecting the city, but I just hope they remember that the city that never sleeps' isn't meant to be taken literally." They are temporarily based at the Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic City, N.J. Arias said the planes were not flying at Mach speed - about 750 mph - which is breaking the sound barrier. The F-16's maximum speed is about 1,300 mph. Air patrol have been securing the skies over New York and Washington, D.C., since the terror attacks of Sept. 11.
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Nothing like an F-15 screaming over your hilltop camp hill in the morning.
We won't get into what a B-52, flying map of map-of-earth,
does to your shorts the first time you get buzzed.
Better than Hitler's V2's and buzz bombs that Hitler struck London with in 1943.
Do these people know that we are at WAR? A few USAF air force pilots stressed out and tired, yeah, maybe they want to... well let their hair down. Up here by the Indian Point nuclear plant, there are dozens of sorties going on every day. AndI'm glad our United States military is doing their job in protecting the United States of America! One bad guy hitting a nuke plant's stock pile will cause more difficulties for the downstream populace in Manhattan, NY than a sonic boom.
Quite frankly, I'm really getting fed-the f_ucking pissers and moaners complaining about about "collateral damage" and all this other horse-sh!t.
If you don't like it, make a difference, and ENLIST! Fight for your country and stop whimpering, complaining and moaning!
Consider the alternatives... a few F16s overhead or a bunch of Arab-speaking whackos flting a few more planes, killing more Americans.
Wake up America. Stop your whining!
First, he ignored my frantic signals to STAY PUT while my assistant pulled the chocks. Nearly ran him over.
He PO'd the tower by butting in front of a KC-135 who had clearance,
then he started his takeoff roll so slowly we were all wincing in anticipation of a disaster.
I thought he'd never lift clear, and the gear took the tops off the trees past the end of the runway.
Some of them generals need forced retirement.
"Godda__it, Maverick, why did you buzz that Tower?"
-Top Gun, 1985.
Say what? complaining about the war on terror already? Some people really take things for granted.
No matter what time it was he should be DAMN glad it was our jets over his head!
I was between five and eight when these flights happened and I always thought it was great, standing on the bank of the river as they passed not more than about 200 feet away.
Methinks it's Nap of the Earth (NOE).
There will probably be no repercussions. Both SecDef and POTUS flew fighter jets, and they probably buzzed a few control towers and other stuff in their day...
The next question: Will someone do a supersonic pass?
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