Daily Mail: US Navy hands out punishment for the two aviators held responsible for skywriting a giant penis over Washington state
* The reprimands were not made public as it was meted out in an administrative proceeding
* A military source said that the individuals responsible were permitted to retain their status as aviators
* The aviators, who belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron 130, used an EA-18 Growler aircraft during the incident
* US Navy chiefs ordered the fighter jet aircrew grounded after the stunt garnered massive Internet attention around the world
The US Navy said on Saturday that it has reprimanded two aviators for skywriting a giant phallus over Washington State last month.
Commander of Naval Air Forces, Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, handed down the punishment after convening a Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Board to address the matter, The Military Times reported.
'The American people rightfully expect that those who wear the Wings of Gold exhibit a level of maturity commensurate with the missions and aircraft with which they've been entrusted,' Shoemaker said in a statement following the decision.
Read more ....
Update #1: Navy aviators disciplined over air phallus after Coronado hearing (San Diego Union Tribune)
Update #2: Navy: Aviators Who Drew Sky Phallus Have Been Punished (Military.com)
WNU Editor: These pilots have not been kicked out .... so they may have a chance to fly again.
I wonder what his call sign is???
ReplyDeletePunishment for what?,hope they quit and join civilian airlines for double the pay.
ReplyDeleteHow many people overcome a reprimand?
ReplyDeleteThey will not be kept grounded for a week, this is just PR in the era of having to respond to everything. Neither the Navy nor the Air Force have pilots enought as is.
ReplyDelete"Punishment for what? Hope they quit and join civilian airlines for double the pay."
ReplyDeleteAgreed, at least from the perspective of the aviators. Unfortunately we will lose good pilots at a time when we sorely need them. This type of situation is but one of many that illustrate why morale in the US military is low.
"How many people overcome a reprimand?" This is true. In this case, everyone involved knows the reason for the "reprimand" is only because idiot civilian leaders insisted on it. As such, it may not mean as much in this case.
Lucas,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right. This is a PR stunt to placate some idiots. As such, the reprimand was the wrong course of action in the first place. Furthermore the severe shortage of pilots ensure these pilots cannot be grounded even if someone wanted to. Of course for US officials to make this analysis enquires a level of intelligence that these people often lack.
These pilots are talented, they must have a medal for that.
ReplyDeleteI think it's badass. Love to buy that man a beer
ReplyDelete