Transport Jet Burst Into Flames After Impact

A small Marine Corps jet with four people onboard crashed during an attempted landing at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, authorities said. It was not immediately known whether there were any survivors, said FAA spokesman Bruce Nelson. The UC-35 --a modified version of a Cessna Citation -- slammed into a brushy area about a half-mile short of the runway at about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nelso said. The plane burst into flames after it went down east of Interstate 15. Rescue teams from the base and the San Diego Fire Department searched for survivors late into the evening. The National Weather Service reported light fog in the area but no major visibility problems.

A First For Reservists

Naval Reserve instructor pilots are setting the example for the next generation of naval aviators. The instructors are part of Squadron Augment Unit (SAU) 9, the Reserve component of Training Squadron (VT) 9, one of two training squadrons that operate from Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian (MS), as part of Training Wing (TW) 1. VT-9 has come to Key West (FL) to teach Navy and Marine Corps student pilots formation flying and gunnery techniques. This detachment represents the first time Reservists have been in charge of a training mission.

Aerial Resources Called In To Find Terrorist

The Pentagon is considering beefing up the already enhanced technology U.S. forces are using to search for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden along the mountainous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Troops will start using ground sensors, U-2 spy planes and unmanned Predator drones to monitor the area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The U.S. military also is examining using the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, a long-range, air-to-ground surveillance system designed to locate, classify and track in any type of weather. The U.S. military also may use the RC-135 Rivet Joint, an aircraft that allows the U.S. military to monitor electronic activity.