On September 20, 1995, a dramatic and bizarre incident occurred over the open ocean. That day, two US Navy Carriers, the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS John Paul Jones, were on their way back to San Diego, California, after supporting American troops during Operation Southern Watch in Iraq.
While conducting a typical training mission in their F-14 Tomcat fighter jet, Pilot Neil "Waylon" Jennings and Radar Interceptor Officer Lt. Buga hoped to liven things up for the crews on deck. Nearing the end of the flight, Jennings brought the aircraft near the John Paul Jones and performed a fly-by at supersonic speed. Suddenly, while wrapped in a shockwave, one of the F-14's engines exploded.
Caught on camera by a sailor from the USS Jones, the blast from the Tomcat astonished everyone. There was no way the pilots could have survived the airplane disintegrating at that speed. But miraculously, they did, even after performing a supersonic ejection, breaking the sound barrier, and ending up 55 miles away.
Both men only suffered minor injuries. They were lucky to be alive to tell the story.
