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Seasoned Vet
Group: Registered User
Last Login: Yesterday @ 8:21 PM
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Air Force: U-2 Engine Failed Over S.KoreaBy Associated Press
June 19, 2003, 9:20 PM EDT
WASHINGTON quote:
Engine failure caused the crash of the American U-2 spy plane near Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 26, Air Force investigators said Thursday.
The cause of the accident was announced by Air Force investigators at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
"Deteriorating weather conditions and an unsuccessful restart attempt forced the mishap pilot to eject seconds before" the crash, the Air Force said. The Air Force did not disclose the high-altitude reconnaissance plane's mission at the time of the accident.
The plane went down in Hwasung, near Osan Air Base, which is about 30 miles southeast of Seoul. The U-2 was assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.
The pilot of the plane, whose name has not been released, suffered only minor injuries. Three Korean nationals on the ground were injured and a home, gas station, pharmaceutical company building and several vehicles were destroyed.
The crash inflamed growing resentment of U.S. military presence in South Korea, where nearly 37,000 American troops are stationed. The United States recently intensified its surveillance of communist North Korea to keep tabs on its nuclear weapons program
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http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-skorea-u-2-crash,0,1176521.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
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Detachment Sergeant
 
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/7/2008 5:06 PM
Posts: 3,684,
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The day that happened, I was driving by the Camp Humphreys airfield (we're 12 kms from Osan). There were a lot of emergency vehicles on the airfield. I thought it might be an exercise, but figured it out later when I saw the news. They were prepared for an emergency landing of the U-2.
Although there was a lot of "collateral damage" from the crash, the locals have been appropriately compensated, and quite frankly, the "inflamed growing resentment" against the U.S. presence is among a minority of the people. Here's an example: In the past two months, there have been SEVERAL demonstrations outside of Osan AFB and Camp Humphreys. The demonstrations have been IN FAVOR of we Americans. In fact, bus loads of protestors tried to come to Osan to inflame anti-American sentiment. More people from Osan came out as counter-protestors; they chased the interlopers away, wielding 2x4s and clubs, and warning them not to return.
TODAY, some people tried to have a protest outside the gates of Camp Humphreys. They were heartily encouraged to peacefully depart the area by the local folks. Believe it or not, the majority of Koreans still want us to stay, and we should.
 ALWAYS OUT FRONT
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