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| Great White North | |
| The Curious Case of the Rocket Launcher Pods at Security Aviation | |
| 2006-03-07 | |
| 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 |
| #7 Siberia getting ready to seceed and need an airforce? |
| Posted by: 3dc 2006-03-07 22:38 |
| #6 Here's some info on the Czech L-39 The L-39, built by the Czech aerospace company Aero Vodochody, was selected as the standard jet trainer in 1972 for the Soviet Union and most other Warsaw Pact countries. Designed as a single engine, tandem two seat subsonic trainer, the L-39 made its first flight on November 4, 1968. The aircraft's primary mission was basic and advanced training, with external armament stores that would enable it to provide operational training in ground attack roles. Almost 3,000 L-39's were built, and the Albatross has been exported to 16 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, Egypt, Iraq, India, and Vietnam. Reliability of the L-39 is said to be very high at 99.6%, and the proven airframe service life is 6,000 hours. The Albatross was flown by different aerobatic teams, among them the Russian Knights, their equivalent of the American Thunderbirds. More in the photo gallery Techinical Specs: L-39 At A Glance Length: 12.1 m / 39.8 ft Wingspan: 9.5 m / 31 ft Take-Off Weight: 4.7 t / 10,360 lbs Speed: Mach 0.8 / 560 mph At Sea Level: 700 km/h / 435 mph Load Factor: + 8 g / - 4 g Engines: UP Ivchenko AI-25 turbofan engine Thrust: 1,722 kg / 3,792 lbs |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-03-07 20:45 |
| #5 steve, are you sure that isn't the People's Front of the Yukon... or the Yukon Popular People's Front ('cause god knows we wouldn't want to be part of the Unpopular People's Front -- why they're not fit to be seen with!)? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-03-07 20:39 |
| #4 NKor fishing fleet targets? |
| Posted by: Jique Jaique5139 2006-03-07 17:47 |
| #3 Yukon Liberation Front Air Force |
| Posted by: steve 2006-03-07 17:46 |
| #2 Esquimeaux ops in the Northwest Passage |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-03-07 17:29 |
| #1 Sounds like mercenary work ? L-39's, rocket pods ? Africa ? |
| Posted by: buwaya 2006-03-07 16:56 |