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The Curious Case of the Rocket Launcher Pods at Security Aviation
This case broke a few weeks ago. FBI agents are tight-lipped about it.Well-known Anchorage charter flight company, Security Aviation, and one of their employees are facing federal charges tonight of possessing a destructive device. That is, at least, what federal officials are telling us tonight. All this seems to go back to recent Security Aviation raids a few weeks ago when a slew of federal and local agencies, including the FBI, raided Security Aviation's Steven's International hub. The fed's say as a result of that raid, and grand jury investigation, Security Aviation employee Robert Kane ordered certain Security Aviation employees to buy four rocket pod launchers, which the indictment alleges, are capable of carrying and firing 16 rockets. Rocket launcher pods, ya say? To go on a jet, ya say?
You'll recall Security Aviation was in the news back in January when an L-39 military style jet crashed in Ketchikan, killing pilot Steven Freeman. That plane belonged to Illinois company, Red Air. At the time of the crash, Security Aviation officials were reportedly trying to buy L-39's from Red Air. And what, pray tell, does Security Aviation need L-39s for? While Security Aviation officials maintain they eventually called off the deal because the jets were unsafe, Red Air officials reportedly told officials Security Aviation had not paid their bills. Apparently, when the jet crashed, Red Air officials maintain they were repossessing the jet from Security Aviation. A repo job gone bad. Instrument approaches into Ketchikan are very tight. You get lined up from the north and go down to your decision point. Missed approach, you CLIMB and maintain a tight heading. There are mountains on both sides. You do not mess with Ketchikan approaches. [*snip*] When the raid occurred, federal officials say the eight L-39's, including the one that crashed in Ketchikan, were designed to carry various types of weapons, including the rocket pod launchers mentioned in the indictment. If convicted on the charges, Security Aviation faces half a million dollars in fines. Their employee, Kane, could face 20 years in prison, and 750 thousand dollars in fines for his alleged role. We have called Security Aviation officials, but they have yet to return our call. Buzz off---we have nothing to say. When they were raided by the FBI, the company's president issued a statement saying they had done nothing wrong. Lies, all lies. In past statements, they have stood behind their accused employee Kane. [*snip*] Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-03-07 |
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