NEWARK, N.J. – Sen. Frank Lautenberg called on a National Guard unit Friday to halt all training flights over New Jersey until it determines why an F-16 fighter pilot strafed a school with cannon fire during a night mission.
The New Jersey Democrat called the pilot’s actions “totally incomprehensible” and demanded a “guarantee that nothing like this can ever happen again.”
National Guard officials are trying to figure out why the pilot opened fire on the Little Egg Harbor Intermediate School from 7,000 feet with 25 rounds from a wing-mounted M61-A1 Vulcan cannon. The pilot, who was not identified by the military, was supposed to be aiming at a target on a practice range 31/2 miles away.
Operations at the firing range have been halted while the incident is investigated.
At least eight of the 2-inch-long bullets penetrated classrooms, Police Chief Mark Siino said. The rounds also punctured the school’s roof and knocked down ceiling tiles.
The school was closed Thursday and Friday because of a teachers convention.
Army Maj. Sheldon Smith, a spokesman for the District of Columbia National Guard, said of Lautenberg’s request, “I think we have suspended flying over there until this investigation is complete.”
“They’re going to be looking at the gun and anything else they can to determine why the weapon fired, as well as interviewing the pilot,” he said. “We want to make sure that if there is a problem we correct it right away.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
