The Story Behind the Story

In observing the recovery of the two F-15Cs that crashed earlier this week in the Gulf of Mexico, I found a few bits of the rescue interesting. As David Axe notes, the USAF used a CV-22 and a AC-130 to help locate the pilots. He makes some excellent points about both platforms in that regard.

While it is unclear if they were useful in the recovery, the story of the survivor is also interesting.

Lynn Haven boat captain Thomas Niquet said he just followed the trail of wreckage Wednesday to rescue an Air Force pilot downed in the Gulf of Mexico.

“We started finding pieces of the plane, then we found the life raft, and about 30 minutes later, we found him,” Niquet said. “He still had his sunglasses on, man. I don’t know how they do it, but those sunglasses don’t come off for nothing.”

The story goes on to highlight another rarely discussed platform recovered the pilot from this civilian boat, the FSF-1 Sea Fighter sent a RHIB over to recover the pilot, and eventually support his transfer to the Coast Guard and medical attention.

BZ to these civilians of the Nina who assisted in the rescue of this airman.

We find it interesting it is usually this type of non-mission specific context the Sea Fighter finds itself into the news. Duncan Hunter must be frustrated, but at the end of the day this is either the most overrated platform in the Navy, or the most underutilized. Either way, right place at the right time is appropriate to describe its role here, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico for a downed airman is a fast way to hypothermia, speed means a great deal in surviving exposure to the sea, and minutes can mean life or death in too many sea regions during the winter.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of 1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee. Excellent coverage here and here.

Air Force Times also covers the story from top to bottom here.