Two California Highway Patrol Officers almost taken out by an F/A-18 Hornet
I get interesting e-mails from my cousin Joe all the time. Here's his latest:
______________________
Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15 near MCAS Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching near the crest of a hill. The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour...
The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and turned off. Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked onto a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.
Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. Back came a reply in true USMC style:
"Thank you for the message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air to ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar was destroyed.
Thank you for your concerns."
- Permalink | Comments (12)
- Posted by: Bob Holland January 16, 2008, 5:00 AM
- Categories: Trends
1) Did CHP seriously complain that a military training exercise was interfering with their speed enforcement? Because our national security is obviously far less important than bringing in chicken-schmidt ticket dollars. Idiot.
2) This is one instance where it's a shame pilots have generally good judgment.
lol, great story.
AWESOME
Yeah, funny story. Too bad it isn't true.
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/radar.asp
Okay... I guess I'll have to send my cuz an e-spanking. :)
My buddies at work had a good laugh at this.
Man, you had to go and ruin it didn't ya 7driver? I was thoroughly enjoying that. :-)
If it was true, I was gonna say that the American driver now has a way of combating aircraft enforced speed limits.
Not buying it for an instant. CHP hangs out in that area daily (and really all around the base on 3 freeways) looking to nab hotdoggers on the 52 and 15. Guess who tend to be in that area speeding? Yeah, Marines with tons of cash, no bills and blingy pocket rockets, crotch-rocket bikes and American "muscle" cars.
Edit, ah someone Snopes'ed the piece. Good. What a load of rubbish.
Don't spoil the fun, I was gonna say, I hate speed traps so next time fire at will! LOL
I'm surprised somebody didn't say this earlier.
Highway to the danger zone!!! :o)
MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Miramar used to be the home of "TOP GUN" when it was still NAS (Naval Air Station) Miramar. The F-14 Tomcats (R.I.P.) for the Pacific fleet used to be based there until they were moved to NAS Oceana in Virginia. The Navy's TOP GUN is now located at NAS Fallon in Nevada.
All I could do was shake my head and smile when I first read this story. I'm fairly certain this story is a myth for two reasons. First, there are no trees to hide an F-18 behind anywhere near I-15 and the Miramar Exit. And two, as the Patrol Captain for the California Highway Patrol in San Diego, I'm quite certain I have never written a letter to the MCAS Miramar Commander. Just another urban legend that originated in Great Britain. And yes, our radar & LIDAR still work very well on I-15, so be careful out there!
C. McGagin, Commander
CHP San Diego Area
Wow, blueballsdotcom, relax. It's gonna be alright, you're lucky to have us around to keep you stable. Your lithium is on its way, calm down, you're gonna make it, LOL.