A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet, operating from USS George Washington (CVN 73) crashed Sunday, Nov. 3, in the Adriatic Sea during a routine training exercise in international waters. The ship immediately launched a search and rescue operation with both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from the carrier. The accident occurred at 85 NM north of Bari, Italy. The Pilot is missing -

MACDILL AFB, Fla. (NNS)-The F/A-18E Super Hornet participated in its first-ever combat action Nov. 6 when aircraft from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) fired on Iraqi targets. In response to hostile acts against coalition aircraft monitoring the southern no-fly zone, Operation Southern Watch aircraft, including the Super Hornets from the Abraham Lincoln, used precision-guided weapons to target two surface-to-air missile systems (SAM), and a command and control communications facility. The SAM systems were near Al Kut, approximately 100 miles southeast of Baghdad. The command and control facility was near Tallil, about 160 miles southeast of Baghdad. The strikes occurred at about 6:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday.

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN)- A Marine pilot who recently joined the Air Force became the first military aviator to log 1,000 hours in the T-6A Texan II here Oct. 30. Maj. Gary MacLeod, an instructor pilot in the 558th Flying Training Squadron, was the only Marine in the T-6 program for the past two years. He "crossed into the blue" Oct. 28 and became one of 45 Air Force instructor pilots in his unit. Representatives from Raytheon Aircraft Company, the aircraft's manufacturer,flew to Randolph to present a 1,000-flying-hour plaque to the major during a small ceremony Nov. 1.

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFPN)--An F-16 pilot from the AF Reserve Command's 419th FW here was killed Nov. 13 when his aircraft crashed during a combat training mission over the Utah Test and Training Range, 25 miles northeast of Wendover, Utah, when the accident occurred. The pilot was a traditional reservist and a commercial pilot. He joined the 419th FW in 1998 and had more than 3,000 flying hours in the F-16, including 85 combat hours.

SAN DIEGO(NNS)--A Miramar-based jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean at approximately 11:45 a.m. (PST) Nov. 14. An F/A-18D Hornet from VMFAT-101 crashed in a training area approximately 100 miles southwest of Miramar off the coast of Mexico. The pilot ejected and is being transported to medical facilities for evaluation. The pilot was on a routine training mission at the time of the accident. VMFAT-101 is a training squadron for Navy and Marine Corps pilots and is part of Marine aircraft group 11, 3rd Marine aircraft wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The F/A-18D Hornet functions not only as a strike fighter, but also as a forward air controller/tactical air controller and tactical reconnaissance aircraft. Additional information will be provided as soon as it becomes available. The cause of the incident is under investigation. For more information about Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, go to www.miramar.usmc.mil.

WASHINGTON (AFPN)--Iraqi forces fired anti-aircraft artillery Nov. 17 and 18 at coalition airplanes enforcing the northern no-fly zone over Iraq. Both attacks came from positions northeast of Mosul, defense officials said. In both instances, coalition aircraft responded by dropping precision-guided munitions on Iraqi air defense elements.The exchanges of fire do not differ much from hundreds of others over the past 11 years, said a U.S. official. But these strikes and others in the past week are of particular interest to world leaders because they come after the signing of a new U.N. Security Council resolution that authorizes strong repercussions for such aggression. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the U.N. Security Council would decide if such attacks constitute a material breach of its Resolution 1441.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB,Ohio(AFPN) -Building a garage for the world's most advanced stealth bomber involves more than a trip to the local lumber yard. Under the direction of the B-2 Spirit System Program Office here, a team of experts have created a new transportable hangar system that will allow the B-2 to deploy overseas. Moving B-2s to forward locations will significantly shorten combat missions,which have been as long as 44 hours from Whiteman AFB, Mo. The deployable shelters will allow for the required environmentally-controlled space for maintenance, B-2 system program director.

EDWARDS AFB, Calif.(AFPN)-- Lockheed Martin test pilot Jim Brown successfully launches a guided AIM-9 Sidewinder missile from an F/A-22 Raptor over White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on Nov. 22. This Raptor mission completes the 2002 flight test criteria set forth by the defense acquisition executive, which outlines the F/A-22 program's flight test priorities. The mission demonstrated the aircraft's ability to fire an AIM-9 at Mach speed using an unmanned, full-scale QF-4 Phantom II aircraft as a target. The F/A-22 was flying at 1.4 Mach at 24,000 feet while the target was traveling at 1.0 Mach at 14,000 feet.

WASHINGTON(AFPN)-- AF officials announced Nov. 7 a potential costoverrun of up to $690 million in the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the F/A-22 program. The potential overrun appears to be related to achieving cost and schedule in the developmental phase of the program, officials said. It is not related to its technology or performance. The aircraft continues to perform superbly in all tests and remains on schedule for first aircraft delivery in 2004 and initial operational capability in 2005 as planned, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper.

PATUXENT RIVER, Md.(NNS)-The V-22 Integrated Test Team recently surpassed 100 hours flown since the program's return to flight in late May of this year. The milestone was reached by Osprey No.10 on a three-hour test flight. All test points were met on the flight.While justifiably proud of reaching the 100-hour milestone, the V-22 program isn't about to lose its intensity. In the coming months, the ITT will be executing the high rate of descent test plan, as well as accepting their fifth aircraft from the Bell-Boeing plant in Amarillo, Texas. "Passing the 100-hour mark is a big step toward proving the V-22 is a safe aircraft," Madenwald said, "but it's just one step" NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. For more information about the Naval Air Systems Command, go to www.navair.navy.mil.

RANDOLPH AFB,Texas(AFPN)--The Air Force has determined pilot error caused the Aug. 8 UH-1N Huey accident near Kirtland Air Force Base,N.M. During a hovering maneuver, an imbalance occurred on the throttles for the two engines and the main rotor lost speed. Two hours and 17 minutes after departing from Kirtland, the aircraft crashed at Kirtland Auxiliary Field's Pad 8.

NELLIS AFB, Nev.(AFPN) -- USAF pilot died Dec. 4 in a mid-air collision involving two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas over the Nevada Test and Training Range. The pilot from the 81st FS at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, was participating in a training exercise. An instructor with the U.S. Air Force Weapons School A-10 division, ejected from his aircraft and is in good condition. The accident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. Both aircraft were assigned to the 57th Wing here. A board of Air Force officials will investigate the accident.

HICKAM AFB, Hawaii(AFPN)- USAF investigators have been unable to determine a clear and convincing cause for an F-15 Eagle engine fire at Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 31. However, investigators found substantial evidence that the engine mishap was a chain reaction stemming from a failure of a high-pressure turbine component. Based on evidence obtained during the investigation, the investigation board's opinion is that a 4-inch section of the second stage turbine airsealing ring assembly broke loose and was a contributing factor to the engine fire. The aircraft was scheduled to fly a six-ship defensive counter air mission on the day of the fire.

LANGLEY AFB,Va.(AFPN)--According to an accident investigation board report released by Air Combat Command Dec. 19, there were two main factors that caused an F-15 Eagle mishap at Eglin AFB, Fla., Sept. 3.The pilot incorrectly executed his landing sequence,and he landed 60 feet short of the runway striking a trench prior to the runway. The pilot was taking part in a four-ship, two-versus-two night intercept-training mission. The pilot was not hurt, and there was no damage to private property.

LANGLEY AFB,Va.(AFPN)--Engine valve failure and the use of an incorrect instrument during a maintenance inspection were the primary causes of an F-15E Strike Eagle mishap at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., July 3, according to a report released by Air Combat Command Dec. 17. The F-15E was on a weapons test mission carrying two 2,000-pound inert bombs when a structural failure of the low-pressure turbine blades in one of the aircraft's two engines caused it to fail. The aircraft landed without further incident. The failure resulted in engine damage costing approximately $1.7 million.

RAMSTEIN AB,Germany(AFPN)-More than 1,000 airmen are replacing Operation Northern Watch veterans as the Air and Space Expeditionary Force system performs its regular three-month rotation from late November through the first part of December. Based at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, the new airmen join Turkish and British coalition partners to enforce the no-fly zone in northern Iraq and monitor Iraqi forces to determine compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. The task force includes more than 50 U.K and U.S. aircraft. Coalition fighters, tankers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets work as a team to enforce the no-fly zone. Missions require a mix of aircraft and on any given day could include EA-6B Prowlers,E-3 Sentry AWACS,F-15Cs,F-15Es,F-16CJs,F-16CGs, HH-60s, HC-130s,KC-135 Stratotankers, UH-60 Blackhawks, EP-3s,C-12s, British GR-3 Jaguars, Nimrods and VC-10s.

HICKAM AFB,Hawaii(AFPN)--Air Force investigators have determined a pilot's loss of situational awareness,spatial disorientation and faulty flight control inputs led to the Aug. 21 crash of an F-15C Eagle into the ocean south of Kadena Air Base, Japan. The pilot,ejected safely from the aircraft with no apparent injuries. Both the aircraft and pilot were assigned to the 18th Wing based at Kadena AB. The crash occurred 57 minutes into a 4-ship air-combat training mission. During an advanced-handling maneuver, pilot made poor control inputs that caused the aircraft to go into a spin at 13,000 feet above sea level. His resulting disorientation and the G forces prevented him from applying effective anti-spin controls and recovering the aircraft. The pilot ejected at 6,000 ft above sea level.The aircraft continued to spin until hitting the water 50 nautical miles south of Okinawa.

LANGLEY AFB,Va.(AFPN)--A report released by Air Combat Command officials Dec. 12 cited installation of an incorrect part as the primary cause of an Aug. 15 mishap that damaged a U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft at Beale Air Force Base,Calif.The 9th Reconnaissance Wing aircraft was performing touch-and-go landings when the pilot lost control and the aircraft departed the runway. No one was injured in the mishap. An accident investigation board reported maintenance workers installed an incorrect torque arm on the aircraft's tail landing gear scissors assembly.The eventual failure of the part caused the tail wheel to spin,resulting in the pilot losing directional control of the aircraft.

SHEPPARD AFB,Texas(AFPN)--Two T-37 Tweet trainer aircraft assigned to the 89th Flying Training Squadron here collided in midair about 9:20 a.m. Dec. 20. The incident took place during a training mission near Lake Waurika, located about 40 miles northeast of Wichita Falls, Texas. Each aircraft had an instructor pilot and a student pilot on board. The crew in one of the jets ejected safely from the aircraft before it crashed, and they were picked up by local authorities. The crew of the other aircraft returned to Sheppard and conducted a wheels-up landing. They safely exited the aircraft and were transported to the base hospital for observation.

LANGLEY AFB, Va.(AFPN)-AF investigators determined there was not sufficient evidence to form an opinion as to the cause of the F-16C Fighting Falcon crash Sept. 9 during a night-training mission near Cannon AFB, N.M. The pilot,did not attempt to eject and was killed in the accident. The pilot and aircraft were assigned to Cannon's 522nd Fighter Squadron. Investigators were unable to determine a clear and convincing cause of the accident. The board determined there was no indication of any aircraft malfunction. The board was able to determine that it was likely that the pilot became distracted and disoriented as he executed a descending turn. As he fought to regain his situational awareness, he allowed the aircraft to enter a very steep dive.Investigators found substantial evidence that the pilot regained his situational awareness and attempted to recover the aircraft, but initiated the recovery at too low an altitude.