Navy pilot dies in jet collision over Nevada

[unhappycamper]

Navy pilot dies in jet collision over Nevada
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jun 13, 2008 22:10:31 EDT

FALLON, Nev. — One pilot was killed but two others parachuted to safety after two Navy fighter jets collided Friday while flying a routine training mission over northern Nevada’s high desert.

Two pilots safely ejected from a two-seater F-5 Tiger and were rescued about 50 miles east of Naval Air Station Fallon, base public affairs officer Zip Upham said. They were reported in stable condition at Banner Churchill Medical Center in Fallon, where they were being treated for minor injuries.

The other pilot of a one-seater F/A-18C Hornet initially was reported as missing after the two aircraft collided about noon near the town of Middlegate, some 110 miles east of Reno, Upham said.

Col. Jeffery Wells, another base spokesman, confirmed Friday night that the third pilot had died. He had been assigned to the “Valions” of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-15 based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.

Names were being withheld pending notification of the pilots’ families, Wells said. The other two pilots were assigned to the “Saints” of Fighter Squadron Composite VFC-13 based at Naval Air Station Fallon.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_navyjetscollide_061308/