Posted at 1:48 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2007
Air Force pilot safe after jet slides off Guam runway
Associated Press
HAGATNA, Guam — A U.S. Air Force fighter jet slid off the runway at a civilian airport on Guam on Monday, but the pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was undamaged, Air Force officials said.The Japan-based F-15 Eagle had come to a stop when it rolled on to the grass from an incline at A.B. Won Pat International Airport, said Capt. Joel Stark, a spokesman for Andersen Air Force Base. The Air Force is investigating the mishap.
The jet was on Guam to participate in large-scale military exercises called Valiant Shield that are being held on and around the island this month.
It had to land at the civilian airport due to poor visibility at Andersen Air Force Base, which lies about 12 miles to the north.
The plane is assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa. It's currently undergoing maintenance checks at the airport but should be back in the air to rejoin its squadron Tuesday Guam time.
Guam airport officials said there were no operational delays as a result of the incident.
The U.S. island territory is located 3,700 southwest of Hawai'i.
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Information from Pacific Daily News: www.guampdn.com
