2 Air Force Planes Missing Off Fla. -UPDATE: One Pilot Dead

[Dig]

2 Air Force Planes Missing Off Fla.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h5LKyjmNAXQBwbfPh7S_KuwX3F3QD8UUAPMO0
1 hour ago

MIAMI (AP) — The Air Force says two fighter jets on a training mission over the Gulf of Mexico have disappeared.

Eglin Air Force Base spokesman Sgt. Brian Jones says they vanished around 3 p.m. off the Florida Panhandle and that search and rescue efforts are under way.

Air Force officials are investigating.

[rick reuben]

reuters reporting they collided in mid-air

[MikiQuick123]

Local news wjhg Panama City reported that both pilots were picked up.

[DCUBED]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080220/ts_nm/usa_military_midair_dc

 Two F-15s collide in midair near Florida coast

 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter planes collided in midair on Wednesday over the Gulf of Mexico near Panama City, Florida, during a training mission, officials said.

The U.S. Coast Guard recovered one pilot and a second was reported missing after the one-seat F-15C Eagles crashed at 4:21 p.m. EST (2121 GMT) about 50 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base.

The recovered pilot's condition was not immediately known.

The planes were from the Air Force's 33rd Fighter Wing based at Eglin Air Force Base, near Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

[DCUBED]

Oh no, there's that number again, 33. 

[rphope]

Important DHS Military FEMA info here, we are in the middle of a major Op right now, all may not be as it seems!!!:

http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=27692.msg110233#msg110233

[MikiQuick123]

Eglin Jets Collided Over the Gulf - Pilots Rescued Save Email Print 
 
Posted: 4:34 PM Feb 20, 2008
Last Updated: 5:43 PM Feb 20, 2008

0 comments   
 

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A | A | A The Coast Guard is searching the Gulf of Mexico this evening for two Eglin Air Force Base F-15 C Eagle jets which reportedly collided and crashed into the Gulf 34 and a half miles south of Tyndall.

The two planes assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing collided and went down at 1:50 this afternoon in military air space which is used by the Air Force for training.

The Coast Guard is using cutters from Panama City, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters from Mobile and Clearwater to search the impact area to locate the survivors or debris.

The planes were on a routine training mission when they collided. The Air Foce says both pilots have been picked up by rescuers late this afternoon. Their conditions were not immediately released.

 
 

[rphope]

WILL THIS CAUSE THE AIRFORCE TO STAND DOWN???Conflicting reports..

http://www.foxnews.com/urgent_queue/index.html#27b7f4ec,2008-02-20


There are conflciting reports on this F-15 crash. Air Force press office in the Pentagon orginally said the planes collided over the Gulf of Mexico, now they are saying they are not entirely sure what caused the crash. The original reports came from the Air Force Watch Center in VA, but the 33rd fighter wing has yet to confirm that so Air Force is pulling back.

[MikiQuick123]

The local news here( see above story) came from sources at Tyndall Air Base , which is in Panama City.

[Dig]

Pilots rescued after fighter jets crash
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-20-fighterjets_N.htm

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Two fighter jets crashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a training mission Wednesday, but the pilots ejected and were later rescued, the Air Force said.

Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Shirley Pigott said the pilots were rescued after their single-seat F-15C Eagles disappeared Wednesday afternoon off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base.

The Air Force has not determined if the planes collided. Weather in the area was clear.

Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless said a Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up. A Coast Guard helicopter then hoisted the pilot off the vessel.

That pilot told rescuers he saw the other pilot also eject, but lost him in the clouds, Harless said. He told them the approximate location for the second pilot, who was found by a Coast Guard helicopter, Harless said.

The conditions of the pilots were not immediately available, he said. They were being taken to Eglin base hospital.

Harless added that no debris from the jets has been found yet.

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, 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.

"The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace," according to its description on an Air Force website. "The weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat."

[Noel Degrassi]

One pilot died. Just reported.

[rphope]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8UUEDK00&show_article=1&catnum=0

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) - The Air Force says one of the two pilots whose fighter jets crashed into the Gulf of Mexico has died. The other pilot is in good condition.
The Air Force says the two single-seat F-15C Eagles likely collided and crashed during a training exercise Wednesday off the Florida Panhandle.

The pilots were able to eject and were later rescued.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP)—Two fighter jets likely collided and crashed during a training exercise over the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, but the pilots ejected and were rescued, the Air Force said.

The pilots were rescued after their single-seat F-15C Eagles disappeared Wednesday afternoon off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Shirley Pigott said.

The planes crashed during a training exercise "emphasizing basic maneuvers and tactics," said Col. Todd Harmer, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron.

The cause of the collision was not immediately known, but the Air Force will investigate, Harmer said. Weather in the area was clear.

Both pilots had been with the wing "for quite some time," Harmer said.

A Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless. A Coast Guard helicopter then hoisted the pilot off the vessel.

That pilot told rescuers he saw the other pilot also eject but lost him in the clouds, Harless said. He told them the approximate location for the second pilot, who was found by a Coast Guard helicopter, Harless said.

Harmer said he had no information on the condition of the pilots, who were being taken to Eglin base hospital.

No debris from the jets has been found, Harless said.

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 as high as 65,000 feet, and each costs about $30 million, according to the Air Force.

[70983]

Pilots Rescued After Fighter Jets Crash

AP Thursday February 21 2008 By MELISSA NELSON

Associated Press Writer

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) - Two fighter jets likely collided and crashed during a training exercise over the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, but the pilots ejected and were rescued, the Air Force said.

The pilots were rescued after their single-seat F-15C Eagles disappeared Wednesday afternoon off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Shirley Pigott said.

The planes crashed during a training exercise ``emphasizing basic maneuvers and tactics,'' said Col. Todd Harmer, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron.

The cause of the collision was not immediately known, but the Air Force will investigate, Harmer said. Weather in the area was clear.

Both pilots had been with the wing ``for quite some time,'' Harmer said.

A Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless. A Coast Guard helicopter then hoisted the pilot off the vessel.

That pilot told rescuers he saw the other pilot also eject but lost him in the clouds, Harless said. He told them the approximate location for the second pilot, who was found by a Coast Guard helicopter, Harless said.

Harmer said he had no information on the condition of the pilots, who were being taken to Eglin base hospital.

No debris from the jets has been found, Harless said.

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 as high as 65,000 feet, and each costs about $30 million, according to the Air Force.

[70983]

Feb. 20, 2008, 8:44PM
1 of 2 Air Force pilots dies after F-15Cs crash in Gulf


By MELISSA NELSON
Associated Press

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The Air Force says one of two pilots has died after their F-15C fighter jets crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. The other pilot is in good condition.

Their names have not been released.

The two pilots were rescued after their single-seat F-15C Eagles disappeared Wednesday afternoon off the Florida Panhandle, about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base spokeswoman Shirley Pigott said.

The planes crashed during a training exercise "emphasizing basic maneuvers and tactics," said Col. Todd Harmer, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron.

The cause of the collision was not immediately known, but the Air Force will investigate, Harmer said. Weather in the area was clear.

Both pilots had been with the wing "for quite some time," Harmer said.

A Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless. A Coast Guard helicopter then hoisted the pilot off the vessel.

That pilot told rescuers he saw the other pilot also eject but lost him in the clouds, Harless said. He told them the approximate location for the second pilot, who was found by a Coast Guard helicopter, Harless said.

Harmer said he had no information on the condition of the pilots, who were being taken to Eglin base hospital.

No debris from the jets has been found, Harless said.

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 as high as 65,000 feet, and each costs about $30 million, according to the Air Force.

[70983]

Airman Dies in Collision During Training
By MELISSA NELSON – 43 minutes ago

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) — An Air Force fighter pilot died Wednesday after his jet and another likely collided during a training exercise and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. The other pilot was rescued and is expected to survive.

The single-seat F-15C Eagles crashed Wednesday off the Florida Panhandle, said Col. Todd Harmer, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, 58th Fighter Squadron. The pilots had ejected and were later rescued.

The base has suffered a "great loss," Harmer said in an e-mailed statement. He said, "We will continue to do everything we can to assist our families and airmen at this tragic time."

The cause of the collision about 35 miles south of Tyndall Air Force Base was not immediately known, but the Air Force will investigate, Harmer said. Weather in the area was clear.

The exercise emphasized "basic maneuvers and tactics," Harmer said.

A Coast Guard rescue jet located one pilot and radioed the location to a fishing vessel, which picked him up, said Coast Guard Petty Officer James Harless. A Coast Guard helicopter then hoisted the pilot off the vessel.

That pilot told rescuers he saw the other pilot also eject but lost him in the clouds, Harless said. He told them the approximate location for the second pilot, who was found by a Coast Guard helicopter, Harless said.

Both pilots had been with the wing "for quite some time," Harmer said.

No debris from the jets has been found, Harless said.

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 as high as 65,000 feet, and each costs about $30 million, according to the Air Force.