Two U.S. Navy fighter jets plunged into the Persian Gulf Monday, after what initial reports suggest was a mid-air collision, a defense official said.
All three pilots ejected safely from the planes and were headed back to the USS Harry Truman, the aircraft carrier they were operating from, according to the official, who requested anonymity because the information was preliminary and not yet released publicly. No other details or the crash were released.
One of the F-18 jets that crashed held two pilots, the other held just one.
The sky is so big, and the planes, they are so small. Pity we can’t keep them from clacking into one another.
At least the guys got out.
Yeah, but we insist (for good reasons) to fly around in that big sky very close together. I’m guessing this wasn’t just a random “#^&+*, WHERE’D HE COME FROM?” swapping of paint. More likely ACM or formating evolution gone bad?
You’re probably right. If we clack two of them together and nobody gets hurt, it’s almost always because they were going in (almost) the same direction.
Off topic,(a bit) but did y’all know that somebody has posted some trash talk aginst fighter pilots over at The Donovan’s? By a Hercules driver, no less!
I mind the photos my Mom kept of the fighter pilots she had dated, when young. I think she kept them to torture my Dad if he got out of line. I think that she, being a prudent woman, opted for stability, and a husband more likely to produce normal kids. She got the first part right.
Was one of the a WSO? Sounds like NFOs get no love.
Dang Navy acronyms. Never could keep ‘em all straight…
NFO? hmm…
No Future Outside?
Blackeagle… what are you saying? C’mon… CICO says “Flight, shutup and drive.”
Hey I’m a Herk driver… Actually someone sent me something saying may Iran shot at them. I can’t believe that though b/c we’d dump a couple of nukes on them ASAP.
I’ll be happy when I hear that they (F-18 pilots) are all safe and sound in sick bay getting their shot of Rum.
s/f
Taco
Taco! Good to “see” you!
With regard to the story – I heard a brief bit but lost track of it until now. Thank God they got out safely.
Chunks,
I’m elated they got out.
That being said- Is anyone keeping track of all this? I’ve never seen so many midairs (anecdotal o’course) over the last several years. This is like the 3rd or fourth with SuperHornets alone….
It’s not like the sky is black with ‘em or the flight deck flush with $65 million dollar F/A/KC aircraft.
b2
Re F/A/KC,
Yeah, my first thought (after “glad everybody got out”) was “I bet they were tanking.”