CF-18 pilot dies in Cold Lake crash
 

CF-18 pilot dies in Cold Lake crash


CP

COLD LAKE, Alta. (CP) — A Canadian Forces pilot was found dead in his parachute Monday after his CF-18 jet went down in poor weather.

The experienced pilot, from 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Cold Lake, Alta., was on an international training exercise involving pilots from several countries.

His plane crashed in mid-afternoon about 50 kilometres north of Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in northeastern Alberta.

Col. Bill Cleland, commander of 4 Wing, identified the Toronto-born pilot as Captain Kevin Naismith.

Naismith’s body was found about 200 metres from his plane, which crashed near Burnt Lake on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.

“We’re coping with a very tragic situation,” Cleland said. “Our first priority is now taking care of his wife and children.”

He said Naismith was flying in a two-plane formation when the crash occurred.

Cleland said he didn’t believe weather was a factor, although it was raining lightly at the time of the crash.

He also didn’t believe smoke from a forest fire on the weapons range was a factor either because aircraft were prohibited from flying low over it.

The crash came in the midst of Operation Maple Flag, an international air combat exercise. About 50 aircraft were flying over the range when the plane went down.

Pilots participating in Operation Maple Flag practise such exercises as dropping bombs and supplies.

The six-week operation is held annually at CFB Cold Lake. It attracts top-gun pilots from around the world.

About 3,000 pilots are expected to take part this year from Canada, the United States, France, Belgium and other countries.

In 2000, a U.S. F-16 pilot ejected safely during Operation Maple Flag when his jet went down after a bird hit the aircraft’s canopy.

http://www.canada.com/national/story.as ... 6E3D040CDD

May he Rest in Peace.

Man, they HAVE to get rid of those death trap CF-18s.

This is friggin' sad. R.I.P.

now our airforce is even smaller! I wonder how he died even though his shute went off...caught in a tree or something?

man this sucks
R.I.P

[offtopic]have you guys noticed only canadian guys have replied here?[/offtopic]

R.I.P, Prayers go out to the family of that guy.

CF-18's aren't deathtraps. The seakings are. The CF-18's are way newer than the seaking. Bought them in '82 for $23 mill each. Americans still use th F/A-18, so if their still using it, we can...we just need upgrades to the on board systems and electronics. Anyway, what would we replace them with? And do you think the government is going to spend another $20 mill * 140 planes? Hell they won't even buy 12 new helicopters that are right now over 40 years old and for every hour of flight require 4 hours of maintainence.

CF-18's are supposed to last until like 2018 or something like that. so it'll be a long time until we get somethng new. especially with this government in power. And I doubt very much things will change with paul martin.

All I know is that the CF-18s were dropping out of the sky around 10 years ago. There was a rash of CF-18 crashes. That's all I'm basing my judgment on.

I'm not a military expert by any means. I'll take your word for it and assume they're safe. I'm sure the family of Capt. Naismith would agree with you too.

Poor guy. It's not the air force I'm too worried about, it's the moth-balling of our Leopards that bugs me. Our gov't really needs understand how important it is to have a good military.

Yeah I know Zoner. They said something like 12 piliots have died since the CF-18's came into the Air Force. Which is a lot. If the government put some money into them then I bet half of those cases wouldn't ahve happened. But there are always accidents. I'm no expert either, but i'd rather fly in a F/A-18 Hornet than a Seaking.

And Innoxx, yeah I agree. The MND made an announcement at the beginning of the month that the Forces would not hire thousands more troops, but rather equip the existing ones. He said theres no need for a larger military, just one that is better equipped. But man, look at the situation now. We need more guys. The world is a crazy place. Someone should ahev stepped up for the issues within the Congo. Its all political bullshit. Our excuse always is that we don't have the men to do it because we're sending 1RCR to Afghanistan in August. We need guys to be ready at all times for whatever happens. Its total BS. Whenever the govt gets in a tight spot, they just say we don't ahev the resorces to do it.

Now all the Leo's are in Waneright, the Iriquos class destroyers are supposed to be disbanded as well. Its getting out of hand. The US isn't going to protect us anymore...especially with GWB as president. And Paul Martin isn't going to change much. He was the dude in Chretiens cabinet who made so many cuts to the CF.

I don't understand the governments position. We've seen in the last 5 years how countries need capeable militaries. We do not have this. Our CF-18 don't have any bombs and have outdated systems and cannot communicate with US, British or Aussie fighters. Our destroyers and Frigates have no helicopters and are running with an average of 30 less men than their spposed to haev on each ship, Our army has no tanks or artillery, and were seriously short men.

Yeah, Ninty9. Which is why I support compulsory military service.

thats why we all need to join the military
i know will

I already am in the Army.

i say we get better shit before more guys. thats also the reason most arent joining

what the hell does canada even need a military for? you've got us americans down south, hell we'd fight off any invader in the unlikely chance that there would even be an invader...

Never heard of peacekeeping, have ya Depot? Where's the rolleyes smiley when you need it...oh, here's one [img]http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/rolleyes/rolleyes10.gif[/img]

Granted, that's not all the Canadian military does, but it's an important role.

lol do you really need cf-18's for "peacekeeping"???

Sure. Peacekeepers ARE armed, dude.

It's not like they're prancing around Kosovo or Chechnya handing out daisies and playing James Taylor tunes on the harpsichord.

Wha..??????????????

Office Depot shut up.

Every modern first world country has an Air Force. Canada has its own land to protect. The second largest country in the world. Most Canadians do not want American Jets flying over our cities, we'd much rather have our own. Canada is an integral part of NORAD, and during the cold war was basically the first line of defense against a Russian attack. Canadian Jets had to be ready to go on a moments notice.

Granted that is the past, Our airforce has been used in the First Gulf War where a squad helped to bomb the shit out of the Iraq army. More recently in Kosovo in '99 our jets were deployed under the UN.

Canada has also vigerously supported the war on terror with Ships in the Persian gulf transport planes in the air and combat personelle on the ground last year consiting of 3PPCLI. In August 1800 troops from 1RCR will be going back to Afghanistan under the UN. Not to mention 2000 troops in Bosnia, which we just had a bunch of guys from my unit come back from after a 6 month tour.

We don't use our military to fight off invaders. Neither do you. Were not surrounded by countries wishing to kill us. But we have an obligation to the international community as an industralized country to provide support for those countries in trouble through the Un and also combat roles in cases like Terrorism. I don't see anyone invading the US, besides the planes into the WTC. But even the US military couldn't stop that. There are things we can not forsee, and for this we must be ready.

And to be honest, the US cannot support Canada. You guys are pretty stretched out with Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, and possible conflicts in N Korea, Iran, S. Arabia. So if you don't mind, sit down and shut up.