U.S. Fighter Pilots In The U.K. Told To 'Keep Windscreens Clean' To Avoid Collisions With Civilian Aircraft

One case this year involved RAF Lakenheath-based F-15s which came within 50m (150ft) of an RAF Voyager

Newsweek:U.S. Air Force Pilots Told to Keep Cockpit Windows Clean to Avoid Collisions With Civilian Aircraft 

The U.S. Air Force has urged its pilots to keep their cockpit windows clean after a series of near misses with civilian aircraft.

USAF F-15 jets based at RAF Lakenheath in southeastern Engand were involved in 19 near-misses with U.K. aircraft in the past five years, according to figures from the U.K Airprox Board, which is responsible for British airspace safety, obtained by the BBC.

The warning comes after a pair of F-15’s avoided collision with a glider over England when a pilot of one of the aircraft spotted the glider using his eyesight rather than a radar. The Airprox Board praised the pilot for his look-out skills.

A July report revealed that two ASAF F-15s had come within 50 metres of an RAF refueling plane over the coast of Norfolk, narrowly avoiding a collision.

About 360 near misses involving U.K. or U.S. military aircraft have been recorded by the Aprox Board in the last five years.

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Update: Fighter pilots told 'keep windscreens clean' to avoid crashes ( BBC)

WNU Editor: About 360 near misses involving U.K. or U.S. military aircraft in five years is way too many near misses.