Sign up to get full access to our latest articles, reports, videos and events delivered by military and industry experts and decision makers.

Coast Guard Rescues Air National Guard F-16 Pilot after Mid-Air Collision

Add bookmark
Mike O'Brien
Mike O'Brien
08/02/2013

The Coast Guard rescued an Air National Guard pilot on Friday after his plane went down about 35 miles southeast of Chincoteague in Virginia.

Coast Guard 5th District Command Center watchstanders received notification via an automated Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking distress signal from an ejection seat registered to an Air National Guard plane at approximately 11:50 p.m. on Thursday.

The Navy's Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach contacted the Coast Guard.

They confirmed that two 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard F-16C Falcon jets were involved in a mid-air collision while on a routine training mission.

One pilot ejected while the second Falcon managed to fly back to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

[inlinead]

District watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City aircrew aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to help out.

The Jayhawk crew hoisted the pilot about 12:30am on Friday and transferred him to Joint Base Andrews.

The rescued Falcon pilot was said to be in good condition. The cause of the mishap is under investigation.

You can learn more about the role of the U.S. Coast Guard at IDGA's Homeland Security 2013 summit in October. For more details, visit www.HomelandSecurityExpo.com


RECOMMENDED