2 Navy fighter jets crash, pilots safe
WASHINGTON (AP) - January 7, 2008 Navy Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff told reporters that the three
pilots have been brought back to the USS Harry Truman, the aircraft
carrier they were operating from, and are in good condition.
Cosgriff, who is commander of the Navy's 5th Fleet, which is based
in Bahrain, said the pilots were undergoing medical checks.
According to the Navy, teams from the Truman rescued the three
aviators who ejected after their F/A-18 Super Hornets crashed
during operations in the northern Gulf. The aircraft are from
Carrier Air Wing Three, which is deployed to the Persian Gulf with
the Truman Carrier Strike Group.
Cosgriff said it was a mid-air collision and that both aircraft
were destroyed. Information released by the 5th Fleet said the two
aircraft were providing "close air support from Iraq when they
crashed."
One of the jets that crashed held two pilots, the other held
just one.
The crash occurred at about 1 p.m. EST.
---
On the Net:
US Navy: http://www.navy.milhttp://www.navy.mil
