U.S jets drop four BOMBS on Great Barrier Reef

[fishlips]

Two Marine jets dropped four 500lb bombs on the Great Barrier Reef this week after a fuel emergency meant they could not land while carrying the weapons.
The AV-8B Harriers, part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, had been taking part in a training exercise when the pilots realized they were running low on fuel.
Each Harrier was forced to drop two bombs on the UNESCO world heritage site, although there was no risk of them exploding, according to defense officials.

Of course you know this means war!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... rcise.html

[Firebird]

Now here is what I don't understand. They declare a fuel emergency, so they are short of fuel, but they aren't light enough to land with 1000lb of ordnance?

What the hell else were they carrying that they couldn't drop? I think we can rule out Nukes as the Aussies get more touchy about that than losing at cricket.

[fishlips]

Between the Pom's and the French in past history, we've got enough ratation in the Pacific Islands to keep the three eyed fish from becoming extinct. May be they could have put them under the Aussie cricket team, god only knows what would get them movitated this season. lol