Oregon ANG F-15 pilot killed

[Rob]

crash

06:35 AM PDT on Wednesday, June 27, 2007


Associated Press, KGW and NWCN Staff Reports

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Raw: Press conference on search for downed pilot


PORTLAND - Coast Guard officials have confirmed the body of the pilot who went down in an Oregon Air National Guard F-15 exercise yesterday off the Oregon Coast was recovered Wednesday morning in the Pacific Ocean.
The pilot's F-15 jet had gone down Tuesday afternoon during an air combat training exercise over the Pacific Ocean about 50 miles due west of Tillamook Head on the Oregon coast. Eight fighters jets left Portland to practice dog fighting maneuvers, but only seven returned.
The identity of the pilot was not released pending notification of his family. Coast Guard officials did not disclose what the other pilots saw during the combat air training exercise. The did say those pilots were being interviewed about details of the crash.
While there were no reports by other pilots seeing any parachute from the jet, the Coast Guard reported it spotted a debris field off the coast. A massive rescue mission was launched, involving two helicopters, two cutters and a C-130 aircraft to search for the jet. The smaller of the two cutters recovered the body early Wednesday.
A news conference was scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Air combat training exercises
Four Guard F-15 jets were matched against four F/A-18 jets from a Marine Corps Reserve unit stationed near Fort Worth, Texas, military officials said. The jet that had gone down was with the Oregon Air National Guard 142nd Fighter Wing based in Portland.
KING
File photo of an F-15 from the Oregon Air National Guard base in Portland, where the F-15 that crashed was based.

The exercise allows pilots to train against fellow pilots who use a different strategy and pit the different jets against each other to sharpen their flying skills, according to the Oregon Air National Guard.
"What we were doing is called 'dissimilar air combat training,"' said Maj. Misti Mazzia, Air Guard spokeswoman.
"What we do is we bring in units, and they don't look like us, they have different tactics (and) what we do is go out there and fly against them," Mazzia said. "It's something we typically do in the summertime. It was just a regular mission."
She noted that many Air Guard pilots are also commercial pilots and generally have more hours in the air than active military pilots.
KGW
The F-15 reportedly crashed about 35 miles off the coast of Cannon Beach, Ore.

Skies were mostly clear with some high clouds when the accident occurred about 1:35 p.m. The cause was unknown but representatives from a formal Air Force Safety Board were convening to start an investigation, officials said.
Air Guard pilots are equipped with gear to help them survive the chilly waters of the Pacific when they train over the ocean, including a life raft and protective suits with flotation devices.
In July 2004 two San Diego-based Marine reservists were killed when their F/A-18 Hornet collided with another jet over the Columbia River during a training exercise.

[bigcountrysg]

that just sucks my prayers go out to the family of the pilot.

[Banshee34]

It'll be interesting to hear which information they release at the press conference in a little bit.

[shu873]

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of that pilot.

[Julie]

Thats crazy... i didnt hear about that... My thoughts and prayers to the fam as well!

[Rob]

yeah it is a sad day when ever we lose one of our military members. i feel bad for his family but they can be proud of his service. without people like him we wouldnt have the freedoms we have today.