Aviano F-16 down

wolfhound · by **wolfhound** » 28 Jan 2013, 22:18

Since two hours all contact is lost with an 31st FW F-16 out of Aviano overhead the Adriatic sea. Fingers crossed

http://www.f-16.net/news_article4689.html

Boman · by **Boman** » 28 Jan 2013, 22:22

Crossing fingers

southernphantom · by **southernphantom** » 28 Jan 2013, 23:15

Fingers are now crossed.

jmartin9577 · by **jmartin9577** » 29 Jan 2013, 01:11

Prayers for the safety of the pilot and rescue crews. Fingers crossed

Sturm707 · by **Sturm707** » 29 Jan 2013, 02:09

I was at Aviano in 95 serving with the Buzzards when we lost Capt Mike "Mac" McCarthy over the Adriatic as well. Seeing this stopped me in my tracks. This latest mishap happened almost 18 years ago to the day the last one occurred. My heart goes out to the Buzzards, hope their Viper driver comes back safe.

grape · by **grape** » 29 Jan 2013, 14:28

Crossing fingers. I hope to God for the best! :thumb:

rwy05 · by **rwy05** » 29 Jan 2013, 16:17

Sad fresh new : found some wreckage but not trace of the pilot.
Rumours report the co-formation pilot don't see any 'fire' of ejection seat.

r.

Asif · by **Asif** » 29 Jan 2013, 16:25

Aviano Air Base wrote:Recovered debris thought to be wreckage of missing aircraft
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/29/2013 - AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY -- Italian search teams have recovered debris in the Adriatic Sea believed to belong to an F-16 Fighting Falcon which went missing during a nighttime training mission Jan. 28.

The fighter jet, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, was performing a training mission when the base lost contact with the pilot at approximately 8 p.m. Italian aircraft and ships were quickly dispatched to the missing jet's last known location; 10 to 15 nautical miles east of Cervia, Italy.

U.S. military officials are coordinating search and rescue efforts with Italian military and civilian teams. While the effort has not yet found any sign of the pilot, the search continues.

"We are tremendously grateful for the support and coordination we've received from the Italian people and government," said Brig. Gen Scott J. Zobrist, 31st Fighter Wing commander. "From the initial notification, everyone involved has shown complete dedication to finding our missing Airman."

More information will be released as it becomes available. A board of officers will investigate the incident.

source: http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334173

ghettobird · by **ghettobird** » 29 Jan 2013, 17:42

Was it a Buzzard or Nickel bird? God I hope they find the pilot ok..

Expat58 · by **Expat58** » 29 Jan 2013, 22:30

Keeping my fingers crossed, the pilot is found safe.

egresstroop · by **egresstroop** » 30 Jan 2013, 00:50

From Stars and Stripes:
http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/s ... c-1.205594

Gamera · by **Gamera** » 30 Jan 2013, 05:16

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/50633503/ns/l ... QibLPJuaKw
http://www.kcra.com/news/-/11797728/183 ... index.html

Twain Harte pilot's wreckage found at sea; 'He was a leader' (Published 18:03PST Jan 29, 2013)

Lieven · by **Lieven** » 30 Jan 2013, 10:05

The U.S. Air Force has identified the pilot as Capt. Lucas Gruenther of the 31st Fighter Wing. He remains missing and the search is continuing.

stingerboy · by **stingerboy** » 31 Jan 2013, 03:59

Here's an update...sounds optimistic.

http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334491

Lieven · by **Lieven** » 31 Jan 2013, 16:14

Although the family of the missing Air Force pilot expressed optimism for his safe return the unfortunate news arrived. The body of the pilot has been retrieved from the Adriatic Sea.

Our condolences to the family and all who knew him.

http://messaggeroveneto.gelocal.it/cron ... -1.6448144