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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Not to worry; it's from my time in Sea Scouts.
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