*** Rescue Crews Scramble to Mid-Air Collision of New Jersey *** Date: Wed, 17 Sep 1997 08:47:40 -0400 To: sarinfo@istar.ca From: James Finkle Subject: F-16 Pilots Had Angels on their wings Westhampton Beach, NY - Three aircraft this station are en route to the scene of a mid-air collision 45 miles off the coast of New Jersey in a military training area known as W-107. An HC-130 Hercules, already in the air headed for Nevada, diverted to the scene and is now overhead and serving as on-scene commander. Two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters were in the Atlantic due south of East Hampton town performing nighttime training when they overhead the mayday call. Both short on fuel are being air refueled at the moment. The accident, which occurred at approximately 8:05 pm, involves two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard. It is known that one of the aircraft was capable of returning to base. The other aircraft is in the water. No other details are known at this time. The Air National Guard will appoint a board of officers to investigate the accident. End Note: At 9:15 pm two pilots were rescued by the Coast Guard from Atlantic City. James J. Finkle, Major, NYANG Director of Public Affairs 106th Rescue Wing (516)444-8800 DSN 456-7401 Pager (516)584-1084 email jfinkle@lihti.org ----------------