------------------
POMONA, N.J. -- Nine French fighter jets and a radar plane stayed overnight at Atlantic City International Airport after one suffered a mechanical problem and bad weather prevented them from returning to their aircraft carrier off the Virginia coast, authorities said Friday.
--------------------
*Insert French joke here*
Greg
Chief A.net college football stadium self-pic guru
USAir1489 From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 363 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (8 years 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 3113 times:
Some reports are saying that the ten planes are supposed to take part at McGuire AFB's airshow this weekend (Saturday only)... what kind of participation, I don't know.
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11436 posts, RR: 81 Reply 2, posted (8 years 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 3063 times:
I know that I've done some things while in the service to scam some time off, especially when near some cool spot, but taking 9 or 10 airplanes and flying to Atlantic City for the night takes the cake.
KFLLSpotter From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 104 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (8 years 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 3007 times:
They were Etendards I believe. I had heard they were participating in a joint operation with I believe the Canadian Navy in International Waters off New York.
USAFHummer From United States of America, joined May 2000, 10685 posts, RR: 54 Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2963 times:
Just saw a story about them on the local news...I saw a bunch of Etendards and a Hawkeye...did not see a Rafale but the weather here sucks and consequently the camera footage wasn't very good, so a Rafale might've been there....
The article said that they went into AC proper last night and explored the sights...in their flightsuits! Apparently they were a big attraction there, but they are getting ready to go back to the Charles De Gaulle now...
Greg
Chief A.net college football stadium self-pic guru
Pilotsmoe From United States of America, joined May 2005, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (8 years 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2962 times:
Quoting DL021 (Reply 2): I know that I've done some things while in the service to scam some time off, especially when near some cool spot, but taking 9 or 10 airplanes and flying to Atlantic City for the night takes the cake.
Thats brilliant.
they didn't have any money with them. They just interviewed them on the local news. Guess they left their money at home. They did go to the casinos BTW
Lt-AWACS From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2950 times:
I just finished Maple Flag 38, period One at Cold Lake, and we had French M2000s and F-1s. Don't remember if it was for Period 2 or 3, but the French E-3F and some other fighters were due in to Cold Lake. (period Two started last Monday and 3 starts 13 June).. Maybe they will bridge through the East coast on their way home from or going to CYOD. Keep an Eye out.
Ciao, and Hook 'em Horns,
Capt-AWACS, Let's talk about Ducks
Cadet985 From United States of America, joined Mar 2002, 1417 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (8 years 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2734 times:
Quoting USAir1489 (Reply 1): Some reports are saying that the ten planes are supposed to take part at McGuire AFB's airshow this weekend (Saturday only)... what kind of participation, I don't know.
Just got home from that airshow. It was pretty good, but no, there were no French aircraft participating.
Columba From Germany, joined Dec 2004, 6839 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 2373 times:
Just read in a German Aviation Forum, that the French fighters requested for an emergency landing due to bad weather and lack of fuel at McGuire AF Base but the U S Military denied so they had to land at Atlantic City civil airport instead.
Don´t know if this is true.
It will forever be a McDonnell Douglas MD 80 , Boeing MD 80 sounds so wrong
Garnetpalmetto From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 5251 posts, RR: 55 Reply 14, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 2354 times:
Quoting Columba (Reply 13): Just read in a German Aviation Forum, that the French fighters requested for an emergency landing due to bad weather and lack of fuel at McGuire AF Base but the U S Military denied so they had to land at Atlantic City civil airport instead.
Don´t know if this is true.
It is true. The linked article in the thread starter states that
The planes, low on fuel, initially asked for permission to land Thursday at a United States military installation but lacked the clearance number, said Noel Clay, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department.
Ah well - I'm sure they enjoyed Atlantic City more than they would have enjoyed McGuire
[Edited 2005-06-08 15:14:21]
South Carolina - too small to be its own country, too big to be a mental asylum.
DL021 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 11436 posts, RR: 81 Reply 15, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 2352 times:
I wonder why they were denied landing rights at McGuire? They are a NATO ally....and I thought a declared emergency took precedence over most everything. Were they closer to Atlantic City?
USAFHummer From United States of America, joined May 2000, 10685 posts, RR: 54 Reply 16, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 2343 times:
Quoting DL021 (Reply 15): Were they closer to Atlantic City?
It sounds like they were approaching the area from the south, and ACY is definitely south of McGuire, so they would be closer to it it seems...
Greg
Chief A.net college football stadium self-pic guru
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12736 posts, RR: 79 Reply 18, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 2308 times:
LMP737, Yes, good point, do French Naval pilots still use the USN training system for carrier related training?
Since they never modified the Alpha Jet for carrier training, using the USN T-45's would make sense.
LMP737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (8 years 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2281 times:
GDB:
They evidently do training at NAS Meridian. Since there are so few French Navy pilots I would guess it's a very small number. Poor guys, if they think the south of France is warm there in for a shock in Mississippi.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined May 2000, 10685 posts, 
They did go to the casinos BTW 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12736 posts, 
From Germany, joined Dec 2004, 6839 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
