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Military whistleblowers express fears over safety and health

May 3, 2012 3:20 PM

Two pilots who fly the F-22 Raptor for the Air Force tell 60 Minutes that they're "not comfortable flying" the jet. Watch Lesley Stahl's report on Sunday, May 6 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Military whistleblowers express fears about F-22 safety
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by parkhere May 6, 2012 10:36 PM EDT
Interesting, this happened with the F-16 back in 1980's I believe! And the Air force was slow to reacts until wives of F-16 pilots began to sue the Air force!
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by willchrisusa May 6, 2012 7:41 PM EDT
These pilots report a flight physiology problem - where is the USAF medical community of Flight Surgeons and why did 60 minutes not press the Surgeon General of the USAF to take a position on this report? These medical professionals are trained in evaluating issues exactly like this in cooperation with the aircraft manufacturer and line of the USAF. Why is there no comment from the USAF SG in this important series of incidents before loss of life or an aircraft?
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by Snapperdealer May 6, 2012 7:38 PM EDT
I fully stand behind the F22 pilots and even the generals investigating the planes issues. But, please! Could Ms. Stahl please take that rope from around her neck and never wear it again. That necklace looks like a murderous impliment or some kind of obscene dominatrixm toy. Whatever, it is insensitive to anyone that has ever lost someone by affixiation.
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by bumbalina83 May 6, 2012 10:41 AM EDT
Who cares what kind of mustache they or he has, he's protecting my freedom and is very brave in many ways...He can grow anything he wants to on his face. We have absolutely no idea what goes through the minds and emotions of these wonderful Americans not even a clue... just pray or think good thoughts that they stay safe and come home.
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by bumbalina83 May 6, 2012 10:24 AM EDT
My niece was stationed at Langley AFB when she was enlisted. I got up every morning around 6:00 when we stayed on base with her for a week to watch the fighter pilots take off, love that afterburner, and they are such talented brave men who have a special gift. They make me very proud to be American! All of our military branches do. Brave....
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by Iconoblaster May 6, 2012 10:18 AM EDT
Deploying an aircraft that cost a hundred forty three million dollars each won't seem like such a good idea, when (not if, when) some adversary finds a way to destroy it on the ground at a cost of a volunteer or two, and a few hundred dollars worth of equipment and explosives. Or when an adversary finds that he can put 20 FAR less expensive planes and missiles in the air to shoot one down (even if the adversary loses ten times as many planes and missiles in the process). This is just too many eggs in one basket.
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by quadcomputers May 6, 2012 1:17 AM EDT
What I heard was they are suffering from hypoxia. This occurs only on a given flight situation. This is a problem, which the engineers will work out eventually and that should be the end of their problems. The Air Force treats their pilots better than any other country in the world. Better than the U.S. Navy; The U.S. Army too. They are pampered, spoiled; and most of them are reckless types, because they like speed and playing with death. This is why they have to be brought together weekly to remind them "your not the only ace out there" If they can't perform their jobs they will be removed. Finally it is a job for a young and well fit and trained person be they male or female. If you don't like the job and can't take the challenge find another line of work.
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by trojanny May 5, 2012 10:05 PM EDT
He's telling about deadly, costly fighters, and you're complaining about his moustache???

And what if he crashes, not wearing his dress blues???

- U. S Coast Guardsman
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by itgranny May 5, 2012 8:27 PM EDT
this jet is in the news now because last week the last of 188 was delivered. The airforce admits to them costing 143 million each. The government accountability office says no, it's more like $412 million each. Now they want an additional 11.7 billion to upgrade them. That's $79 billion dollars folks, on just one jet. And since they are having problems with them, there are a bunch of pilots refusing to fly them. i'm looking forward to hearing this 60 minutes.
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by houseeleven May 5, 2012 2:29 PM EDT
If the problem was bad enough to ground the plane last year, and the problem remains unfixed, why is it still flying? These are gutsy guys. Emperor has no clothes.
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