Coast Guard Rescues Downed F-16 Pilot

Coast Guard Rescues Downed F-16 Pilot

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer saved a Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon pilot who ejected from his plane after a midair crash with another jet about 35 miles southeast of Chinconteague, Va., Thursday night.

Two 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard F-16C Falcon jets collided, with one pilot ejecting and the second able to nurse his plane back to Joint Base Andrews, Md., the Coast Guard reported. Watchstanders with the Coast Guard’s 5th District received a distress signal from the first pilot’s ejection seat about 10:28 p.m., and the service sent an aircrew from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., to rescue the pilot, whose name has not been released.

The dark night made it hard for the rescue crew to locate the downed pilot, but he had a radio and was able to talk to the rescue helicopter’s co-pilot and guide them to his position in the water once the crew arrived on scene, said Aviation Survival Technician 1st Class Brian Fogle, the rescue swimmer who saved the pilot.

For video and the complete story by Antonieta Rico of the NavyTimes.com, click here.

Updated: August 2, 2013 — 12:49 PM
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