Strafing pilot error?
06-25-2008, 07:23 PM
#1
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Strafing pilot error?
Saw this story in AF times and being a pilot I have to wonder *** the soldiers were doing in the SUV 1.5 miles from a live fire strafing target at night? Sounds like it shouldn't be pilot error. More like Darwinism...
Anyone care to shed some light?
Pilot error led to strafing of SUV
By Mike Stark - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 25, 2008 15:50:44 EDT
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — An F-16 pilot misidentified a rented sport utility vehicle when he blasted it with a 20mm cannon during a late-night training exercise in April, according to an Air Force investigation.
The military said the pilot momentarily lost visual contact with a target while using night-vision goggles at the Utah Test and Training Range.
Moments later, he misidentified the parked SUV and hit it with rounds from the plane’s cannon. It was about 1.5 miles away from the target, which was a mock armored personnel carrier.
Two soldiers from Fort Lewis, Wash., inside the SUV received minor injuries as they scrambled to get out and call for the mission to be aborted.
Lt. Beth Woodward, a spokeswoman for the 388th Fighter Wing at Utah’s Hill Air Force Base, said the SUV was parked in an appropriate observation spot during the training exercise. The area was closed to the public.
The pilot’s name was not released Wednesday.
Woodward said the pilot is a major in the Air Force with more than 800 flying hours in F-16s.
Prior to the April 8 incident, the pilot had been certified to lead four-plane formations. Woodward said that certification has been revoked while the he undergoes additional training.
The incident prompted a review of training procedures, including air-to-ground coordination during training missions at night. Woodward said changes were made. She said she couldn’t provide details out of security concerns.
“We are fully committed to keeping the range a safe place to practice the skill sets needed to bring airpower to the enemy,” Col. Scott Dennis, 388th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement.
Anyone care to shed some light?
Pilot error led to strafing of SUV
By Mike Stark - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 25, 2008 15:50:44 EDT
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — An F-16 pilot misidentified a rented sport utility vehicle when he blasted it with a 20mm cannon during a late-night training exercise in April, according to an Air Force investigation.
The military said the pilot momentarily lost visual contact with a target while using night-vision goggles at the Utah Test and Training Range.
Moments later, he misidentified the parked SUV and hit it with rounds from the plane’s cannon. It was about 1.5 miles away from the target, which was a mock armored personnel carrier.
Two soldiers from Fort Lewis, Wash., inside the SUV received minor injuries as they scrambled to get out and call for the mission to be aborted.
Lt. Beth Woodward, a spokeswoman for the 388th Fighter Wing at Utah’s Hill Air Force Base, said the SUV was parked in an appropriate observation spot during the training exercise. The area was closed to the public.
The pilot’s name was not released Wednesday.
Woodward said the pilot is a major in the Air Force with more than 800 flying hours in F-16s.
Prior to the April 8 incident, the pilot had been certified to lead four-plane formations. Woodward said that certification has been revoked while the he undergoes additional training.
The incident prompted a review of training procedures, including air-to-ground coordination during training missions at night. Woodward said changes were made. She said she couldn’t provide details out of security concerns.
“We are fully committed to keeping the range a safe place to practice the skill sets needed to bring airpower to the enemy,” Col. Scott Dennis, 388th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement.
06-25-2008, 10:11 PM
#3
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They were not part of the friendly ground party.
If you haven't had to ID a target at night through NVGs on a strafe pass diving at the dirt at 450 knots with about 5 seconds of track time, then you don't know just how possible this type of thing is...
I'm with AK Hawg...there but for the Grace of God go I on this sort of thing.
If you haven't had to ID a target at night through NVGs on a strafe pass diving at the dirt at 450 knots with about 5 seconds of track time, then you don't know just how possible this type of thing is...
I'm with AK Hawg...there but for the Grace of God go I on this sort of thing.
06-26-2008, 05:21 AM
#4
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Link to a picture of the SUV
Pilot error led to strafing of SUV - Air Force News, news from Iraq - Air Force Times
my WAG is came about a foot from killing one or both of the guys
Pilot error led to strafing of SUV - Air Force News, news from Iraq - Air Force Times
my WAG is came about a foot from killing one or both of the guys
06-26-2008, 05:35 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: T-38C
Posts: 63
I agree with AK Hawg. As a former Hog driver, this sort of situation always concerned me at night. My question is though, if they weren't part of the friendly ground party how did they call for the mission to be aborted? Thankfully, they are still around to tell about it.
06-26-2008, 05:55 AM
#6
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Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 540
Originally Posted by kronan
Link to a picture of the SUV
Pilot error led to strafing of SUV - Air Force News, news from Iraq - Air Force Times
my WAG is came about a foot from killing one or both of the guys
Pilot error led to strafing of SUV - Air Force News, news from Iraq - Air Force Times
my WAG is came about a foot from killing one or both of the guys
06-26-2008, 12:23 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 836
SUV / APC
Blackhawk / Hind
I'm just happy these two survived. This is an unfortunate incident that hopefully will lead to some better TTP's and prevent this from happening again, whether the pilot was at fault or the soldiers.
I would like to know what they were doing way out there.
Blackhawk / Hind
I'm just happy these two survived. This is an unfortunate incident that hopefully will lead to some better TTP's and prevent this from happening again, whether the pilot was at fault or the soldiers.
I would like to know what they were doing way out there.
07-04-2008, 07:32 PM
#10
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Position: HMMWV in Iraq
Posts: 328
Guys, I won't say this is "normal," but it is not unheard of for dudes to be out on a range in a SUV talking to aircraft, at night, doing strafing runs. Think black SUV, and the occupants wearing cargo pants and baseball caps on backwards. And, given the guys I know, 1.5NM was plenty of room, as they are normally pushing the MSD's.
This would also be the reason why we prefer to use a IR pointer at night, and when doing so, require the aircraft to call tally and visual before they get cleared.
If the guys in this SUV weren't part of the range control or TACP (ie, up on freq), then they were really on their a-game to come up on USAF common or the range net to abort the aircraft.
This would also be the reason why we prefer to use a IR pointer at night, and when doing so, require the aircraft to call tally and visual before they get cleared.
If the guys in this SUV weren't part of the range control or TACP (ie, up on freq), then they were really on their a-game to come up on USAF common or the range net to abort the aircraft.
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