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AIR FORCE ADMITS CITY BUZZ WAS A ‘LOW' MOMENT
New York Post ^ | 2/20/02 | http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/41954.htm

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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To: Don Carlos
"IMHO one of the prettiest sights in the night sky is F15 doing a max performance take-off."

You got that right Sarge!

I'll bet you also remember that eerie moan that an F104 makes on a low speed approach. Used to send shivers down my spine. Man, that was (and still is) one hot fighter.

61 posted on 02/21/2002 12:46:53 PM PST by Jasper
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To: Jasper
F104. The original "pocket rocket". In '62, Moron AB, Spain, we had an ANG outfit from S. Carolina that flew the F104. One of the pilots was a BIG Captain. One day I asked how he ever got into the cockpit. He replied, "Get in, hell. I just strap it to my butt and take off".

When one of those babies lifted up to about 20 feet, pulled up wheels and flaps and built up speed to climb out, spectators got a real treat! I still remember the BOOM and thump in the chest when they went supersonic!

Makes me all nostalgic. Think I'll go re-up (not)!

62 posted on 02/21/2002 1:20:32 PM PST by Don Carlos
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To: Jasper
BTW, thanks again for the welcome. Nice talking to you again.
63 posted on 02/21/2002 1:22:02 PM PST by Don Carlos
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Comment #64 Removed by Moderator

Comment #65 Removed by Moderator

Comment #66 Removed by Moderator

To: Yehuda
Some/many NY'ers (along with all Americans) need to be reminded that 9/11 wasn't a freak incident, and that unless we all get on, and stay on, and pile on tons of pro-military appreciation onto the bandwagon, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

But I cannot think of a ruder way to remind them then to make them think it's already happening again.

67 posted on 02/21/2002 8:01:37 PM PST by NovemberCharlie
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Comment #68 Removed by Moderator

To: Don Carlos
The pleasure's mine sarge, hope you're enjoying your tour here at the FreeRepublic.

FreeRegards,

/jasper

69 posted on 02/21/2002 8:25:19 PM PST by Jasper
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To: Don Carlos
IMHO one of the prettiest sights in the night sky is F15 doing a max-performance take off. Man, them blow pipes put out a long flame!

After seeing hundreds of take offs of mostly F-15's and FB-111's, I have to say the FB-111's evening and night take offs looks better. The FB had a much longer flame, about 3 times as long as an Eagle's, (of course they needed it to get off the ground) and a wider range of colors. Not to say the F-15 wasn't impressive.

70 posted on 02/21/2002 8:28:55 PM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult
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To: arm958
Reminds me of the hot dog B-52 pilot at Fairchild AFB a few years ago. During a ceremonial fly-by, he banked a little too hard and plowed into the ground. He killed all the crew on board and could have killed many more on the ground. After the fact, some of his fellow pilots noted that he was known for pushing the envelope a little too far.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Do you mean this one?

71 posted on 02/21/2002 8:39:34 PM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult
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To: Hillarys Gate Cult; Jasper; Don Carlos
There is nothing quite so beautiful as an RA-5C Vigilante during a night catapult shot.

For that matter, just seeing one of the damn things in the air was a sight to behold. The Viggie is perhaps the most beautiful airplane ever built, IMHO. A bitch to land on the carrier, though.

72 posted on 02/21/2002 9:09:31 PM PST by Taxman
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To: Yehuda
Sorry, but I think it's ruder to tell someone who is putting his life on the line for mine, "quiet down, you're disturbing my sleep!"

Not their sleep I was thinking of, but their peace of mind. This is only speculation, but I think someone hearing low-flying aircraft over Manhattan would be much less likely to think, "Thank God the Air Force is defending me from a repeat of 9/11" than "OMIGOD! It's another one!"

Buzzing Mannhattan is certainly not necessary to the mission and would hardly have the effect of making people feel more affectionate toward the military.

73 posted on 02/21/2002 9:23:16 PM PST by NovemberCharlie
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To: Cobra64
A few USAF air force pilots stressed out and tired, yeah, maybe they want to... well let their hair down.

Yeah, I remember a few years ago two Marine aviators letting their hair down in Italy...and killing 20 local civilians when the plane cut the ski-lift cable.

Let the fly-boys get their jollies on their own time (and at their own risk), not ours.

75 posted on 02/21/2002 9:52:49 PM PST by The_Expatriate
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Comment #76 Removed by Moderator

To: Taxman; arm958
I liked the look of the Vigilante too, was my favorite model airplane. Never got to see a real one.

Found a link for a video of the Fairchild B-52 crash, and a couple of others.
Click here, scroll down. ( can't vouch for the quality, my Windows Media Player doesn't work)

77 posted on 02/22/2002 12:15:31 AM PST by Hillarys Gate Cult
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To: kattracks
Phsyc ops.

The NY liberals were starting to forget.

Well done.

78 posted on 02/22/2002 12:24:59 AM PST by Dinsdale
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To: Don Carlos
Air Force/Air Farce .. who cares? Not this retired 22-year blue-suiter. I bet Cobra64 and Poohbah both have a grin on their face cuz they yanked ur chain!

Yeah, they yanked my chain, and I fell for it.

79 posted on 02/22/2002 5:20:21 AM PST by arm958
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To: Yehuda
I slept right through it (UWS,90's,) so I can't get too upset. During the World Series some jets buzzed Yankee Stadium from right over my crib--I about browned 'em that night!

I'm still a little shell-shocked, but I need to remember my roots in tornado alley. That noise is frightening. The jets I can get used to.

80 posted on 02/22/2002 6:07:07 AM PST by big gray tabby
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