Training bomb strikes vehicle near Nellis

VarkVet · by **VarkVet** » 17 Oct 2008, 18:55

10/16/2008 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- A training weapon fell from an Air Force aircraft on a training mission and struck a vehicle traveling on a road adjacent to the base Oct. 15, said Nellis Air Force Base officials.

The weapon, a 25-pound bomb dummy unit-33, landed near a mobility warehouse on the base before bouncing into the road and striking a civilian vehicle.

The driver was not hurt.

"The BDU-33 did not fall directly from the sky and onto Las Vegas Boulevard," said Col. Dave Belote, the 99th Air Base Wing commander. "It impacted on Nellis AFB proper and then bounced 700 to 800 feet and made impact with the truck."

Nellis AFB security forces Airmen and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officials responded to the scene.

The training bomb is used to simulate the ballistics of real air-to-ground weapons and does not carry explosives. Instead, it carries a small smoke charge used to mark the device's impact point.

Though no one was injured in the incident, base officials said they will take more precautions to prevent accidents like this in the future.

"We take this incident very seriously," said Brig. Gen. Russell J. Handy, the 57th Wing commander. "The safety of our Airmen and our neighbors here is of the utmost concern to us and we're very, very thankful no one was injured."

Nellis AFB personnel and Las Vegas police are jointly investigating the incident.

Source: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123119895

TC · by TC » 17 Oct 2008, 23:59

I can't help but think of Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack...

"Fore?! I should've yelled 'TWO!'" :lol:

I remember back in the mid 80s, when this happened. A dummy bomb fell off of another Viper from MacDill, and shacked the hood/engine compartment of this guy's brand new Corvette.

Try explaining that one to the State Farm agent... :lol:

JoeSambor · by **JoeSambor** » 18 Oct 2008, 11:18

News video of the incident here... http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/us ... ideosearch

There's something about a hot news anchor holding a BDU....

Best Regards,

asiatrails · by **asiatrails** » 18 Oct 2008, 20:09

JoeSambor wrote:News video of the incident here... http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/us ... ideosearch

There's something about a hot news anchor holding a BDU....

Best Regards,

I swear that bomb had a smile on its nose.

JoeSambor · by **JoeSambor** » 18 Oct 2008, 21:46

If she's not careful it's going to fire its spotting charge...

TC · by TC » 19 Oct 2008, 01:58

She had a nice grip on it near the fins. :thumb:

Oh yeah, and General, why not wear your flight cap back within uniform regs before making a speech on national tv, eh? You're not a Foxtrottin' B-17 driver!

F16guy · by **F16guy** » 20 Oct 2008, 06:56

TC,
Just curious what reg's is the General breaking? Maybe his hat is too big but other than that what??? By the way most B-17 drivers were sporting the wheel cap.

TC · by TC » 20 Oct 2008, 08:07

You're not supposed to push the top of the flight cap in.

The tradition of the pushed down look with AF flight caps, dates back to WWII. Bomber and Transport crews who chose to wear their flight caps instead of the wheels, would put on the cap, and then wear their headset over the top. The headset pushed into the cap, which indented the top. Before long, this indentation would be permanent.

Over the years pilots have worn their flight caps in this manner, and it was especially popular to do so in SAC. However, it is out of uniform to do so.

VarkVet · by **VarkVet** » 20 Oct 2008, 17:29

I’m still waiting for the day that fighter pilots figure out how to iron twin-tails into that cap. :lol:

TC · by TC » 21 Oct 2008, 03:02

It'll happen. One of these days...

But what else can we really say for a piece of headgear that resembles a certain body part?

I'll let everyone think about that one for a minute. :wink:

huggy · by **huggy** » 21 Oct 2008, 05:50

TC wrote:You're not supposed to push the top of the flight cap in.

Says who? I've heard folks say this a few times in my career, but have never seen the AFI reference. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm just saying I've never seen it in print. The AFI does say that "opening of cap is to the rear". And the crush does tend to open it up in that manner.
In any case, I see plenty of Flag Officers wearing it with the crush.

akruse21 · by **akruse21** » 21 Oct 2008, 07:22

I think this calls for someone to write into Airman magazine or Air Force Times and let them know you think the officer was out of regs :roll:

ATC · by **ATC** » 21 Oct 2008, 10:58

Go to page 32.

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/m ... 6-2903.pdf

I don't see any mention of it being pushed in.

ATC · by **ATC** » 21 Oct 2008, 11:29

Flight caps, while worn with blues:

Slightly to the wearer's right with vertical crease of the cap in line with the center of the forehead, in a straight line with the nose; the cap extends approximately 1 inch from the eyebrows in the front, opening of cap is to the rear; if not worn, tuck under the belt on wearer’s left side, between first and second belt loops; cap will not fold over belt. Cap has dark-blue colored edge braid for enlisted personnel, silver-colored edge braid for general officers, and silver and blue in a diamond pattern edge braid for all other officers; all shades and material of hat are authorized with any uniform combination. Mandatory for all male personnel. Cap will not be tucked under epaulets.

outlaw162 · by **outlaw162** » 21 Oct 2008, 13:37

I’m not sure why this occurred to me.

We used to fold the cap and put it in a flight suit leg pocket when we flew.

Back in the 70’s, supposedly two pilots from the Guard were crossing the BX parking lot at Holloman and had stowed their hats prior to entering the BX. Naturally, a colonel happens to walk out of the BX at the same time.

The colonel says: “Captain, where’s your hat?”

The Captain says: “It’s in my pocket, sir.”

The colonel says: “Why isn’t it on your head?”

The Captain says: “Because I can’t get my head in my pocket, sir.”

I’m not sure how this ended up.

regards, OL