Oceana pilot reprimanded for passing over Venezuela (US Navy)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Virginian-Pilot

Oceana pilot reprimanded for passing over Venezuela

By Kate Wiltrout
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 18, 2008

A Navy captain based at Oceana Naval Air Station has been reprimanded for allowing his aircraft to pass into Venezuelan airspace in May, the Navy announced.

The incident prompted protests from Venezuelan officials. At the time, a U.S. defense official said the pilot mistakenly strayed into Venezuelan territory after the plane experienced navigational problems, according to The Associated Press.

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the head of Fleet Forces Command, issued a punitive letter of reprimand Friday to Capt. James Paulsen, commander of Carrier Air Wing One. Paulsen remains in command of the air wing.

Greenert issued the letter after reviewing an investigation into the May 17 incident. Paulsen was flying an S-3B Viking, which the Navy once described as its premier surveillance and precision-targeting aircraft. The Viking was part of Sea Control Squadron 32 - a Jacksonville, Fla., unit that was decommissioned in September.



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